Shredding / Recycling Next Saturday

click to enlarge

Got an old VCR gathering dust, or a shopping bag of paper to be shredded?

The 46th & 48th Ward Streets and San Office will hold a recycling event next Saturday, helping to guard against identity theft and ensuring that all e-waste will be reused or appropriately disposed of.

20th District Golf Outing

If you are interested in sponsoring or taking part in the golf tourney, contact one of the officers listed above.

4645 N Broadway Gets Facelift

Looks like 4645 N Broadway is getting a bit of TLC from its new owners. You might remember this building as the site of the infamous standoff with police last December. It was also a Vice-Lords gang hotspot as well as the former home of "Da Spot" clothing store. We applaud anything that can potentially improve this retail corridor.

Positive Loitering, 7pm-8pm Tonight

from the Uptown Chicago Commission:

Please join your neighbors for an hour of Positive Loitering this evening from 7-8 pm, at the southwest corner of Lawrence and Sheridan. Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your dog!  The event is being sponsored by the Uptown Chicago Commission and all are welcome to attend. As always, the Police are aware of our efforts and encourage our efforts to take back our streets for law-abiding citizens.

Panhandling Seminar On September 24

Local Stations Affected By Bad BP Batch

That batch of bad gas BP produced in its Whiting, Indiana plant around the middle of August?  The one that makes your car hard or impossible to start?

Well, as usual, BP is very, very sorry.  It finally released a list of the affected stations on its searchable website, and guess what, a couple of Uptown stations are affected:

• BP Station, 841 W Irving Park Road (at Broadway), Chicago, Illinois 60613
• BP Station, 755 W Lawrence Avenue (at Clarendon), Chicago, Illinois 60640

If you bought gas at either place and are having trouble with your car since, you'll probably want to check out BP's website.

What's Going On At Somerset Place?

We've heard from several readers in recent weeks asking about the construction going on at the former Somerset Place, 5009 N Sheridan, which has been boarded up since March 2010.

Apparently there are the sounds of demolition work going on during the day, and plenty of debris has been seen in dumpsters around the building, indicating that work is ongoing inside.

However, one reader did some armchair investigating and says he can find no construction permits pulled for that address, leading him to question the safety of the demolition that is apparently going on within the walls.

He has reached out to Ald. Osterman, who says that no zoning changes have been applied for by the new owners yet and that they will have to go through the community process before a zoning change can be approved for the building.

Ald. Osterman also says he will look into the presumed current construction/demolition work.  Our reader says he'll let us know when he gets a definite answer back.

We are eager to see the Somerset become a vital part of Uptown again, but we want to see it done legally and safely.  Hopefully this will turn out to be the case.

Wondering? Free Testing/Information

Hepatitis C Testing moved to September 5th.
See the comments for details.

CorePower Triathlon - Register Now

For more information, contact tanya.lopresti@corepoweryoga.com

"Grandmaster Ric" In The DJ Booth

Not an Uptown event, but starring one of our most renowned residents.  Ric Addy of Shake, Rattle & Read wrote in to say:

"I have not DJ'd a club gig since the after party at Wild Pug for Iggy/Stooges at the Riv (and what a WILD time that was), so this Thursday night, August 30th, I will be spinning after the fantastic Del Moroccos show at the Mayne Stage [1328 W Morse in Rogers Park].

Stop by and check out the newly rehabbed Morse 'L' stop and the sweet Act One Pub attached to Mayne Stage.

Bonus: Beer tastings and specials from Lagunitas!

Call in sick Friday - this will be my 'Rebel Music Dance Party'!"

That's Better

The reader who sent in the photos of the "big kid games" at Broncho Billy 12-and-under playlot on Magnolia sends in an update:

"Here is the painted-over version of the water fountain.  It's sad that King Rahm's first budget cuts were to the already overworked graffiti removal teams.  Oh, well, it was just a little paint and a disposable brush."

While we're not generally in favor of vigilante actions, sometimes you just gotta fight the gangs and their scribbling the fastest way you can.

For those who prefer to let the city do the work, call Graffiti Blasters at 311 and put in your request, or you can make a request online.  It works best if you can give an approximate street address rather than an intersection.

Graf-Blast is on the grid system now, hitting four wards a day rather than going out on each individual request, and has reduced its staff.  This is all rather controversial and what the reader is commenting on above.

Life On The Edge

Last Friday Ald. Cappleman tweeted:  "Had a woman with 446 prior arrests arrested again. She really needs a structured environment to give us all, including herself, some peace."

Turns out he buried the lead.

As the Sun-Times reports today, the (in)famous Charmaine Boone/Shermain Miles -- she of the 446 arrests, including several for mugging senior citizens -- went after Alderman C with a knife on Friday after she saw him call in a 911 report regarding her public drinking and intoxication.

It’s dangerous being a hands-on Chicago alderman who walks the streets of his ward and is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Rookie Ald. James Cappleman (46th) is living proof. [...]

The alderman said he didn’t actually see the knife, nor was he stabbed. But, Cappleman said he has no doubt his life was in danger. 

“She reached into her blouse and was chasing me ….Two witnesses told me, ‘She has a knife. You’d better run’ — and I did,” the alderman said.

“The real story is not that she chased after me with a knife or no knife. … The real story is that we have someone in the community with 448 arrests who is terrorizing our community and we can’t stop it. This has gone on for years and years with her. … My goal is that we do something so that she stops falling through the cracks. … My goal is to get this woman help so she is off the streets. I’m tired of this. The community is tired of this.”

Read the entire article here.

Update: The Windy City Times story is here.

Update:  The Trib has the story, too, with some history on Ms. Boone:

Cook County Court and state prison records indicate Boone, listed in state prison records as Shermain Miles, has been arrested more than 300 times since 1986 on drug possession, retail theft, criminal damage to property, prostitution and armed robbery charges. She has been convicted and sent to prison at least 10 times, the records show. When she was arrested Friday, she was on parole for armed robbery after being released from prison in April 2011. 

Cappleman said she boasts of being arrested 446 times. Cappleman said he would like to see the woman get into a program that treats whatever underlying problems she has. “My goal is to get this woman help, so she is off the streets,” Cappleman said. “I am tired of this. The community is tired of this. . . . We have someone … who is terrorizing our community, and we can’t stop it.”

46th Ward Evening Office Hours At Clarendon Park

Ald. Cappleman will host his evening office hours/ Neighborhood Nights tonight at Clarendon Park (4501 N Clarendon) between 5pm and 7pm.

While the weather stays nice, the alderman and his staff will be available at outdoor locations around the ward on Wednesday nights, when office hours are extended.

There will also be staff available at the aldermanic office during regular Wednesday hours, 9am-7pm.

Problems On Your Street? Don't Be Silent

A timely reminder from a reader to other residents:

"We live in the 900 block of Lakeside Place. We are not unaware of the shootings and other gang activity in the neighborhood. Twice this week, and it is only Tuesday, we have had groups of people sitting on our wall smoking pot and generally making a nuisance. Both times we called police. Both times they came, relatively quickly, and both times they thanked us for calling them.

They implored everyone who has a problem with loitering, smoking pot in your front yard, noise, etc to call the police. If we want to help make our neighborhood safer, increase property values and overall a nicer place to live, we all have a responsibility to call the police AND continually make it known to our Alderman, James Cappleman, that this is a different era from Mary Ann Smith and Helen Shiller. We expect some balance brought into our neighborhood. And the neighborhood to be made safer and cleaner and develop the ability to attract more retail and restaurants.

Don't be silent."

This reader makes a good point.  Remember that people who are doing shady things will seek out a place where there aren't eyes on the street, where the cops aren't called, where no one confronts them.  On the streets, silence equates approval.

Don't Forget To Shop The Uptown Farmers Market

The Uptown Farmers Market is the place to be on Thursday mornings between 7:00am and 1:00pm.  The various vendors are there all the way through November, so there is still plenty of time to enjoy the fresh findings of the market. Located in the Weiss Memorial Hospital parking lot, the market has grown to host several excellent vendors offering a wide range of wonderful locally grown foods. At the market you will find:

• freshly baked breads, sweet breads, cookies, muffins, scones
• farm fresh eggs and meats produced locally
• gourmet chocolates and desserts
• seasonal fruits of all varieties, including berries, apples, and melons
• just-picked veggies such as tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, and greens
• fresh-cut flowers
• honey varieties from local beekeepers
• and so much more!

The Uptown Farmers Market takes cash, credit, or LINK cards.  For additional information on some of our wonderful vendors, please read below.  See you at the Market!

• D & R Gardens and Orchards is a small third generation farm in Southwest Michigan. They have over 27 years worth of Chicago Farmers Market experience.  At their produce stand you can find seasonal asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, pears, peaches, and plums.  Not to mention several tomatoes varieties that you simply have to taste to understand what a tomato can really offer.
• Farm Fresh Foodstuffs is operated by Steve & Jennifer Spoerl of St Charles IL. They are independent grocers and bring fresh eggs and local meats to the market; they also offer an online menu of over 500 locally produced and grown products that customers can pre-order for pick-up at the market. Everything is produced locally and traceable back to the farm or person that grew or produced the product.
• The Weiss Rooftop Farm was founded and is maintained by the Loud Grade Produce Squad, a Chicago non-profit committed to all things urban agriculture. The hospital parking garage rooftop is the main production site, and features a wide range of organic produce that is sold to the public at under market rates at the Weiss Hospital Farmers Market.  The “Squad” disagrees that good food should cost more and challenge you to come by the market and try their amazing produce, often picked just that morning for you.
• Beijo de Chocolat is the creation of French pastry chef Laura Case.  They offer award-winning gourmet chocolates along with yummy candies, brownies, and treats.  Beijo de Chocolat specializes in Brigadeiros, a hugely popular and hard to find Brazilian chocolate. For the second year in row, Beijo de Chocolat has been named one of the best chocolatiers in the United States by the International Chocolate Salon and Taste TV.

Red Line Stations Will Open On Time; Other Work To Take Longer

RedEye's Tracy Swartz was at Ald. Osterman's CTA meeting last night about the Red Line improvements in progress and in store, and comes away with the news that -- while the station work will most probably be on schedule -- the extra work (viaducts and eliminating slow zones) will take a little longer.  Intermittent road closures will take weeks longer than the station work.

Well, that's life in the big city.  We're glad to be getting new stations and faster rides, and it should all be over by the end of the year.  By this time in 2013, the work delays will be forgotten.

Unfortunately, an owner of an Argyle Street business spoke to say his weekend business has gone down since the station closed.  We hope people revert to their old shopping habits and learn to live with the construction.  After all, it's all part of "the Chicago way."

Read the entire RedEye article here.

That's Gonna Leave A Mark

"If it is not cars getting in the way of falling trees on Buena, then it is buildings getting in the way of SUVs. I saw this after the fact about 7:45 this morning on the northeast corner of Clarendon and Buena while riding my bike to work. I did not stop to ask questions."

"A Neighborhood Rich In History"

Chicago Realtor Magazine took a look at Uptown in its summer edition, and liked what it saw.  It talked to two local Realtors and Uptown residents, Mark Zipperer and Bethanie Williams:

"We are crying for commercial development, but in this economy they're slow to come out here.  We need the foot traffic, but with a range of new restaurants and other changes, it's beginning to increase," Zipperer said.  

Fortunately, there is no shortage of engaged community residents working on Uptown's behalf.

And that last line is, to us, the best part of living here.

Read the entire article here.  As the person who sent it to us said, "Glad this went to realtors---so many refer to Uptown as 'sketchy' which makes me crazy."

First Ever 48th Ward Bike Camp

From Ald. Osterman:

"This week, 20 youth from our Uptown community participated in the first-ever 48th Ward Bike Camp, a week-long program where area kids learned how to correctly and safely ride a bike in Chicago. 

The Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Bike Ambassadors led the 5-day camp based at Margate Park, teaching important skills throughout the week such as bike maintenance, correct signaling while riding, and where it is legal and safe to ride throughout the city.  At the end of camp the kids kept the bikes, donated by Bikes Belong.

The participants drove to area destinations such as Uptown Bikes and Wrigley Field, where they participated in a tour of the park.  A big thank you to CDOT’s Bike Ambassadors for running the camp as well as the Chicago Park District, Loyola University’s Felice’s Pizza, the Chicago Cubs and Shirts Our Business for sponsoring this great event."

Ice Cream Social Postponed

Due to the rain today, the GWNA Ice Cream Social event has been postponed. It is GWNA's hope to re-schedule the event for next weekend. Stay dry and enjoy the day.

Puttin' On The Ritz

A reader writes in:

"Attached are some pictures of the "Flats Chicago" opening on Thursday in the old Art Deco Building on Sunnyside and Broadway. It was pretty crowded (maybe a couple hundred or more) and had a DJ, flutist, top-shelf drinks, fabulous hors d'oeuvres, and beautiful people, not to mention the velvet rope on the outside. It reminded me of the chic gallery openings in Brooklyn or Hell’s Kitchen – artistic, edgy and classy. The party had a lot of brokers, investors, architects, developers, agents, etc. The Alderman spoke briefly and the general mission everyone seemed to convey was restoring these old, decrepit buildings back into the grand architectural pieces they once were, which in turn brings value back to the neighborhood."

UU Note: Read more about Cedar Street Co. and their plans for Uptown here.

"Out In The Park" September 8

For more info, visit www.gaysixflagschicago.com or call 773-878-5323

Dog Days Of Summer

A reminder that every Saturday is "Doggy Day" at SoFo Tap, in which well-behaved owners and their pups can drink together between 3pm and 6pm.

CPNA Block Party Seeking Doggie Divas

Got an exceptional pooch?  Want your talented dog to be the next Honey Boo Boo Child?  Read this part to Fido:

"To all Uptown Canines: Do you like to do tricks for treats and prizes? Please ask your owner to contact Marlise Fein at: marlisefein@gmail.com to have a chance to be the winning dog in talent at the CPNA Block Party on Saturday, September 8, 2012. The dog talent contest start @ 3pm. Looking forward to seeing you there!"

Costumed 5K For Make-A-Wish

Hey, runners and walkers -- there's a fun 5K coming up at Montrose Harbor on Sunday, September 16th.  It benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has granted more than 10,000 wishes to children with life-threatening conditions in Illinois since 1985. And you can wear a costume while you participate!

"We are pleased to offer a 5k fun walk and run along Chicago's scenic Lake Shore.

Help celebrate the magical and imaginative spirit that is Make-A-Wish by dressing up in costume. We welcome all the Super Heroes, Wizards, Space Adventures, Historical Figures, lovers of SciFi, and other fanciful figures to join us! Prizes will be awarded for best adult and youth costumes!

All walkers, supporters and volunteers are invited to celebrate after the walk and run with music and fun activities. With your support, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois hopes to raise $130,000, enough funds to grant the wishes of over 25 children in Illinois living with life-threatening medical conditions. Participants who pre-registered by August 31st, 2012 will receive a t-shirt and and children will receive a goodie bag."

For more information, see the home page here.

UU Note:  If you're into running, there's also the Stride Against Violence 5K Run/Walk on September 30th, sponsored by Uptown's Apna Ghar.

Positive Loitering Tonight, And A Movie

from the Uptown Chicago Commission:

Please join your neighbors for an hour of Positive Loitering this evening from 7-8 pm, at the southwest corner of Lawrence and Sheridan. Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your dog!  The event is being sponsored by the Uptown Chicago Commission and all are welcome to attend. As always, the Police are aware of our efforts and encourage our efforts to take back our streets for law-abiding citizens.

UU Note:  Come to the Positive Loitering and then go over to the Movie in the Park, Super8, at dusk, in Clarendon Park.

Save At El Ranchito

Today's Reader "Real Deal" is pay $5 and get $10 worth of food at El Ranchito Mexican restaurant. 

There's one on Clark just south of Leland (and Carol's Pub) and $10 will get you a feast.  Click here for the details and to buy it.

CTA Plans To Cut Uptown Bus Service

We may be getting a lot of good news on the "L" side of the CTA service here in Uptown, but the "bus" side isn't as sunny.

As part of its service cuts, the CTA is planning on eliminating two of Uptown's bus routes, the #144 (Marine/Michigan Express) and the #145 (Wilson/Michigan Express). It says it will add more buses to the #148 and #146 routes to make up for the eliminated routes.

Our first thought is, what about the elderly and handicapped who depend on those bus routes? Walking even an extra block can be very tough when every step is painful, and the 50 or so stairs to the platforms of the CTA's non-ADA-compliant L stations means the trains provide no alternative.

A reader points out another downside: "This makes no sense and is especially bad news for people like me who work hours other than 9-5. The CTA plans to increase service during rush hour with the #148 route (well, there will only be buses going downtown in the morning and Uptown in the evening), completely eliminating service along the route during other times. And folks who use the bus to get from Uptown to anywhere between Irving Park and Belmont will be SOL."

You can read about it in RedEye or in the CTA's documents.

Don't like the change?  Tell the CTA!  You can vent here, but it won't make any difference in the outcome.  Tell the decision-makers about your feelings.

You can attend a public forum at CTA headquarters (September 4, 2012, 567 W. Lake St., at 6 p.m.) or you can contact the CTA by email here.

Say "Buh-Bye" To Argyle

The CTA says the Argyle stop will close at 11:59pm, Ald. Osterman says it'll close at 10pm.  In any case, we'll have an overhauled station in about six weeks, with a new viaduct and new supports, among other things.  Lawrence riders, prepare for more passengers for a while.

Lao Sze Chuan Coming To Uptown

According to Chicago Magazine's Dish column, celebrity chef Tony Hu will be opening another branch of Lao Sze Chuan in the space recently vacated by Marigold:

Lao Mala, a seventh Chinatown spot from Mr. Chinatown himself, Tony Hu, soft-opens today in the former Lure space (per The Stew). Hu also divulged to Dish that he plans to open a second Lao Sze Chuan at 4832 North Broadway (the former Marigold space) on September 1.

Eater Chicago has a longer, more detailed article here, which includes the tidbit that the restaurant will open in September, but not on September 1st. 

Argyle Street Closures To Aid Station Overhaul

Ald. Osterman has sent out a long email about the upcoming Red Line rehab, including details about a community meeting he and the CTA will hold on Monday, August 27 at 6:00pm at Goudy School Cafeteria (5120 N. Winthrop, but please enter off of Winona) "to discuss the construction at Berwyn and Argyle stations.  In addition to the planned stationhouse, track and viaduct work, these stations' viaduct columns will be rebuilt. The CTA will make a presentation to residents and business owners and will answer any questions or concerns."  Read the entire email here.

He has the following details about street closures that will accompany the Argyle rehab.  Yeah, it's gonna be a bit of a pain during the Red Line rehab this fall and winter, but it should all be worth it.  It could be worse:  we could be on a "Congress Parkway" construction schedule.

"The next station to undergo work is Argyle, which will be closed for six weeks starting on Friday, August 24 at 10:00pm and lasting until Friday, October 5 at 10:00pm. Consequently, there will be full street closures on Argyle from Broadway to Winthrop during the weekends.

Station.  The station will be closing this Friday, August 24 at 10:00pm. It will be closed for 6 weeks and will re-open around 10:00pm on Friday, October 5. During this time, we are encouraging riders to use Berwyn or Lawrence.

The Street.  During construction, the CTA will need to use Argyle to stage equipment and perform viaduct and track work. This will result in full street closures on Argyle from Broadway to Winthrop every week (for the full 6 weeks) from Thursday at 8am to Monday at 12pm. I have requested that they keep access open up to the north/south alley west of the viaduct in order to ensure access for business deliveries and turn-around traffic. Due to safety reasons, there are two weekends in particular where this will be impossible because there will be a crane staged on the street. These weekends are Thursday 8/30 - Monday 9/3 and Thursday 9/20 - Monday 9/24. They will try to keep alley access open on the other weekends since the work will be less intensive. The curb lane on both sides of the street will be closed from August 24 - October 4.

Once the station reopens, the CTA will continue finishing work to the viaduct which may cause additional street closures. My office will keep the community informed of any changes via the Weekly Newsletter."

CircEsteem Open House On Saturday

Join us THIS Saturday, August 25th from 9am-12pm for CircEsteem's Open House!    

"Dear Families and Friends of CircEsteem (New and Old!)

Joins us this weekend at Alternatives Inc., located at 4730 N. Sheridan Rd., as we throw open our doors for an activity filled morning of FREE circus fun for the whole family!

Try out your circus skills during our open gym and meet the instructors and CircusTeens of CircEsteem while registering for fall classes onsite!
 
Enjoy FREE tasty treats from the Babycakes pancake food truck that will be parked onsite all morning!

Parents grab a cup of FREE coffee courtesy of Starbucks with your younger kids as they enjoy circus themed craft activities!

And don't forget to try your luck at our raffle wheel on the way out -- you could win treats from Babycakes, CircEsteem t-shirts and gear, and one lucky winner will walk away with a FREE CircEsteem class!  

Can't make it? Take a peek at the Fall Schedule and register with our fancy new online registration system.  Space is very limited. We are accepting credit card payments to secure your spot in fall classes NOW!

Hope to see you Saturday!"

• Fall circus classes for tots through adults will start Saturday Sept. 8th.
• Our FREE after school program HomeWork & CircusWork open to kids 7-14 that provides homework assistance and circus classes starts September 10th.
• Registration is now open!

"This... Is Wilson"

There's an interesting article in CTA Station Watch about what has been said for sure about the upcoming rehab of the Wilson Station, and author Patrick Barry's conjectures:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, at a press conference August 14 celebrating the renewed Morse CTA station, said there was much more to come, including a “spectacular” new station at Wilson and Broadway. 

Wilson serves 5,400 boarding passengers each weekday and has been called the CTA’s crustiest station. It’s 90 years old, the adjacent storefronts are beaten down and empty, and the clientele includes a representative sampling of the neighborhood, some of whom are indeed rather crusty.

So this is a big deal. And it’s going to happen – soon.

Read more about what the new station might include, and access a custom Google map of the station site, at CTA Station Watch.

Speaking About The Red Line....

... another reminder that the really scary, Russian-bloc-era-looking Argyle Station will close at 11:59pm Friday night and reopen in about six weeks.

Deutschland At The Dock

Starting today, The Dock At Montrose Beach is turning into a biergarten.  Don't be surprised to see lederhosen- and dirndl-wearing staff serving up bratwurst, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, wienerschnitzel, and Bavarian pretzels along with some great German Oktoberfest brews.

Oktoberfest on the beach, should be fun! But hurry, it all ends on Sunday.

Car Break-Ins In Sheridan Park

Today we heard from two different readers about car break-ins going on in Sheridan Park.  We urge anyone who's been a victim to call the police and make a report so that the police can see a pattern here.  Just from these two e-mails, it's easy to see what area is being targeted.  And we can't emphasize enough that it's not wise to leave anything in your car because you never know what will attract a thief.

It's obviously the same guy or guys doing this, and filing a police report will make it easier for the cops to catch these jerks in the act.  Let's try to get them outta here.

• "During the past 10 days at least three cars (including ours last night) have been broken into by thieves. Oddly, there were no broken windows and the doors were left slightly ajar. They must have a pretty good way of getting into the vehicles.  They seemed to be looking for money (they took all of our change). They did not seem to take any registration or other information from the car. The offenders followed the same pattern for each car.  The break-ins occurred overnight, but it is not clear when. The cars are located on the alley of the 4400 block of Malden between Malden and Beacon. If you see anything suspicious, call 911."
• And from another reader:  "A number of cars were broken into (no sign of damage) overnight on the 4400N block of Racine, in a gated parking lot behind Bronco Billy Playlot.  Thieves took iPod cords/chargers, quarters/money and left all the doors ajar.   Kindly post to let other neighbors know to be on the lookout."

Broncho Billy Playlot Shenanigans

Wow, kids grow up so fast these days!  In the Broncho Billy Playlot on Magnolia, which is intended for children 12-and-under and their guardians, a reader found some signs that "big kids" had been there and the games they were playing weren't exactly child's play.

"Here are a few images of the park [Tuesday] morning. The basketball courts were covered in trash and there were some interesting foil wrappers in the bark mulch, in addition to some creative new artwork... You can see it in the lower right hand corner of the picture. The sad part about this is there is a trash can right by this spot."

Remember when you look at the pictures, this playlot is intended for kids in their "Wonder Years."

Cappleman Office Hours At Gill Park Tonight

Ald. Cappleman will host his evening office hours tonight at Gill Park (825 West Sheridan) between 5pm and 7pm.

While the weather stays nice, the alderman and his staff will be available at outdoor locations around the ward on Wednesday nights, when office hours are extended.

There will also be staff available at the aldermanic office during regular Wednesday hours, 9am-7pm

• Afterwards, don't forget to head over to Cricket Hill (east of LSD at Montrose) for a movie in the park.  Tonight it's Hugo, and it starts at dusk.

Timberrrrrrrr!

Ouch.  Someone's going to have an insurance headache.  A reader says:  "I took the attached photo this morning on the way to work of a tree that fell on a car between Marine and Clarendon on Buena. A calm, almost windless night and a tree limb comes crashing down. Aaarrrggghhh." 

If you are the owner of a car that was damaged and need any documentation for your insurance claim, write to uptownupdate@hotmail.com and we can send you the full-size photo.

Ice Cream Social On Sunday

From Graceland Wilson Neighbors:

Cool off with GWNA Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 26

Summer may be coming to an end, but there is still time for a little fun in the sun.  Enjoy ice cream and visit with your neighbors at the GWNA Ice Cream Social:

• Sunday, August 26
• 4-5 PM
• Sunnyside Mall

Cost is $2 per serving. Unable to attend? Donations accepted for this and future GWNA projects.

Not a member?  We’ll be accepting membership applications and dues, $20 annual per household, at the event.  Membership dues may be mailed to: GWNA—4432 N Clifton, Unit 3N, Chicago, IL 60640

Volunteers needed! If you can help, please send an email to cstrucklewis@gmail.com.

T Minus Three, And Counting

Help Wanted

If you've got restaurant kitchen experience (or aspirations), apply at Reservoir, 844 West Montrose (next to where Kahawa House/ Purple Cow used to be).

Looks like an opening is imminent!

Bike Owners, Beware

A reader sends in this photo and warns of parts thieves:


"The back wheel was stolen off my bike at Sunnyside and Hazel. I walked around the neighborhood and noticed some other bikes were hit up too.

Bike thieves are scum of the earth. So I thought I should share this as I know some other people were ripped off in the neighborhood.   My bet is that they will come back and hit up the neighborhood again."

If you can park your bike off the street for a while, might be a wise time to do so.

Craig's Lost Chicago

If you've lived in Chicago for any length of time, you'll probably get a few memory jolts from Craig's Lost Chicago, a website of shops, manufacturing, fun, and food that used to be in Chicago, but has left for one reason or another (out of business, left Chicago, or consolidated with another company).

Here's a rare sight from the website -- Goldblatt's, at Broadway and Racine, in its heyday...

... before it closed in 1998 and became the boarded-up eyesore with the rusting water tank on top of it that was there before the Borders restoration (photo courtesy of Mark2400 on Flickr, who has allowed UU to use his Goldblatt's photos in the past for daylight saving time purposes):

Enjoy browsing Craig's Lost Chicago for some memories!