Shots Fired At Winona & Winthrop, Three Shot, One Fatally

We're not sure exactly what's going on, but it's not good.

At around 8pm, there were shots fired and injuries in Edgewater, just north of Uptown.  "6-8 shots fired around 8 PM Friday evening.  One carried by fellow felons to Berwyn L stop.  Other injured picked up by EMS around 5230 N Winthrop.  Drug dealing is an issue around 5240 and 5230 buildings on Winthrop."  We forwarded that information to the Edgeville Buzz since it happened in their coverage area, not ours.

But in what may be retribution for that first shooting, we are now getting reports of multiple shots fired at Winthrop and Winona, in the 5000 block of Winthrop.  A reader says "Crime scenes, police and ambulances at both mid block of 5000 block of Winthrop and in front of and in the park adjacent to Goudy School."

The reader who sent in this photo says:  "At least a half-dozen shots fired at 9:25pm, police responded 2.5 minutes after I called 911. Looks like it happened halfway between Winona and Argyle on Winthrop. Loaded someone in to an ambulance, not sure what else happened."

If anyone has any updates, please put them in the comments.

Update:  And now it just got really bad.  A reader says:  "Just saw SWAT running south.  It looks like there are casualties at the SRO in the mid 5000 block of Winthrop.  The police pulled out a bag and someone on a stretcher.   That makes me really sad.  The people who live in that building are victims who are taken advantage of by the bangers and used as mules."

Update:  According to the Tribune, three men were shot and all are in critical condition.   They include a 22-year-old and a man in his 30s.  The Tribune's story is here.

Update:  The Broken Heart of Rogers Park has information on both, and possibly a third, shooting, at the Foremost Liquors on Argyle.

Update:  The crime scene has turned into a murder scene.  According to the Sun-Times, one of the three men shot on the 5000 block of Winthrop has succumbed to his injuries.  "A 46-year-old man was shot in the thigh, abdomen and buttocks, and later died at the hospital, police said.  A 32-year-old man was shot in the knee and ankle, police said. The third man, 29, was shot in the knee, abdomen and shoulder."

Sad Follow-Up To A Previous Story

We are terribly saddened to report that Wayne Davis, the 87-year-old gentleman who was struck by a drunk driver at Lawrence and Broadway on November 9th, has passed away.

Mr. Davis died Thursday evening at the hospice at which he had been staying.

Many UU readers wrote to tell us that they knew him, either by recognizing him as a regular at the Pancake House, or having him as a neighbor (most recently at Friendly Towers on Wilson), or simply by exchanging small talk and letting him pet their dogs, as he was in the habit of doing.

Mr. Davis's friends at JPUSA, who visited him often during his hospitalization, tell us that his condition remained guarded.  We had hoped for his recovery, but that's not the hand that was dealt.

The driver who hit him, Michael Izeta, had been charged with felony DUI resulting in serious injury, and cited with striking a pedestrian, running a red light, and driving without insurance or a driver’s license. We imagine the charges will be increased with Mr. Davis's passing.  Essentially, two lives ended with Mr. Izeta's decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence.

Our deepest sympathies to everyone who knew Wayne Davis.  It's a tragedy.

Banners Promote "Uptown For The Holidays"

New banners promoting Uptown for the holidays are popping up all over the neighborhood. Kudos to Uptown Business Partners/Uptown United for sponsoring. This particular banner was seen at Wilson & Malden. You can support Baker & Nosh tonight at this same corner from 5-7:30pm as they host their first annual tree lighting ceremony. Hot chocolate, cider and delicious baked goods will be available. Be sure to dress warmly, too!

Late Night Andersonville Kicks Off The Holidays

Andersonville -- the unofficial neighborhood that straddles sections of Uptown and Edgewater -- is having a Late Night tonight, with plenty of special events to kick off the holiday season.  You can see all the festivities going on, both north and south of Foster, here.  There's a coupon page here, too.

Several shops on the "Uptown side" are highlighting their events and discounts in the flyer to the right.  Be sure to stop by SHE Art, Las Manos Gallery, and Woolly Mammoth Antiques if you're in the area.

Other Uptown businesses include

• Four Sided
• Revive Massage Therapy & Spa
• Sifu Design Studio
• Milk Handmade
• URBAN Mischief

It'll all happen again on December 14th, but why wait?

Shots Fired On Wilson, Person Shot

Seems like the gangbangers have rediscovered Wilson and Magnolia, after the situation had gotten much better after the police cracked down on the drive-through drug market at the strip mall there.

Several reports of a shooting there in the past half hour:

"I was studying and heard about 10 gunshots from my bedroom at 5:45pm.  One of the victims ran in the alley between Magnolia and Malden to hide with a black winter hat, low jeans and a black hoodie over a white t-shirt.  A white Toyota drove behind him at least 60 mph to hit him and continued to shoot while heading towards Montrose.  

Reported shooting victim
Andre Williams

The victim yelled "Call the police.  I'm shot" and he ran towards Magnolia, but after the car continued southbound, he returned to Wilson near the Subway.  I called the police and they responded immediately.  The victim seemed to have been hit in the leg, but hopefully no other casualties exist." 

A Facebook reader reports that "Paramedics went into the liquor store [Sheridan Park Food & Liquors] on Wilson."

This is just weeks after a gang-related murder very close to the spot where shots were fired. So sick of these fools and their murderous little games.

Please put in the comments if you have any more information or write us at uptownupdate@hotmail.com.

Update:  From the witness who gave the description above ---"I met with some police and told them what I knew.  The alley between Magnolia and Malden is under tape with several bullet casings.  Malden is also closed at Wilson with tape.  The cops said it was a white Honda."

Lakeview Foods Redux

A reader writes in to say how impressed she is with the new owner and the rehab at Lakeview Foods:  "Lakeview Foods at 4106 N. Sheridan has 25 new coolers and freezers.  All different frozen and fresh foods.  A big assortment of wines, beers and sodas.  Illinois Lottery, LINK and a inside cash station.  Safe car and bike parking right out front [UU Note: Love the repaved parking lot, no longer like the surface of the moon].  Easy curb entrance for handicapped.  This is something that this neighborhood has been needing for years now!"

It's really nice to see the convenience stores in the area upping their game.  We love what's happened with Shop 'N Save (Wilson & Sheridan), Food Town (Hazel and Montrose), and now Lakeview Foods.

Student Thespians Present The Wiz Tonight & Friday

Come one and all and support the Elementary and Middle School students at Stewart Elementary School in their production of THE WIZ, Today and Tomorrow, November 29th and 30th, 5 p.m. (4525 N Kenmore Ave.)  Tickets are $5 at the door.  Support your community school and all the positive activities that are taking place.  (All ticket sales go to benefit the Stewart Elementary School Music and Theatre programs)

From Uptown To The Silver Screen

Remember last May, when A Christmas Carol -- the gay adaptation -- was shooting all over Uptown?

Above is a photo from the shooting location next to Man's Country on Clark, and it was snowing at Sunnyside and Wilson, too.

Well, Scrooge & Marley is out -- so to speak -- beginning Thursday, and will play at The Music Box through December 6th.  There's an article about it in the Sun-Times today and one in HuffPo from earlier this year.

Come to A Benefit For Mr. Snuffleupagus

On December 9th, at 4pm, the Annoyance Theater (4830 N Broadway) will be putting on a benefit for Michael Earl.  Michael has been a puppeteer for 30 years, including a stint on Sesame Street as Big Bird's friend Mr. Snuffleupagus. Recently, Michael was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer, and unfortunately has no health insurance.

In response, several of Chicago's own puppeteers have come together for a variety show at the Annoyance, called Helping Hand: A Puppet Benefit for Michael Earl. It features several acts including The Noah Ginex Puppet Company, Brouhaha!, cast members of the Annoyance's own Weirdos!, and more.

More information on the benefit can be found here.  And if you'd like to learn more about Michael, you can go to his blog here.

Uptown Social Club To Open In UBB

There's more news on the banquet hall/special events facility in the lower level of the Uptown Broadway Building that we talked about last summer.

It's going to be called the Uptown Social Club, and is due to open early in 2013.  Apparently it's going to be available for rent by groups and organizations.  Pretty good idea, actually, when you think about it.  Aside from the conference room at the Bridgeview Bank Building, for small groups, and the Saddle & Cycle Club, for large gatherings, there really isn't anywhere in Uptown to hold group events.  We can easily envision this being the venue for wedding receptions, family reunions, and corporate meetings.  At 7200sf, it's a nice size and has no real competition in the area.

The group that will be running Uptown Social Club was looking for a Venue Director earlier this month.  We have no idea if the position has been filled, but if you're interested, you can take a look at the job description here.

A Welcome Renovation

Almost 5 years after a fire destroyed several units at the Gill Park Co-op at Broadway and Grace, we are happy to report that the affected units (as well as all other units) are getting quite a makeover. Check out the photo above; the units on the left side of the photo are sporting the new bluish-tinted windows and the far right side is getting them installed as we speak.

Take It Off, Take It All Off

The plot thickens!

There's even more to the story that Uptown Update broke a couple weeks ago about former alderman Helen Shiller being a lobbyist on behalf of Pooh Bah Enterprises for "gentleman's club" VIP.  DNAInfo has a follow-up story in which Helen denies that role.

Even though she was listed on the city database as a lobbyist for Pooh-Bah, and even though that form was filled out by hand, in pen, by her former aldermanic staffer Michilla Blaise, the former alderman now says, "it was a mistake that I was listed as the lobbyist for Pooh Bah Enterprise."

Both Helen and Michilla refused further comment, although Brendan Shiller freely admitted lobbying for Pooh Bah and taking some credit for the agreement Pooh Bah eventually reached with the City allowing it to continue operating.

Now the city's roster of registered lobbyists has Helen Shiller listed as a lobbyist for Sonia Beauty Salon, Inc.

You can read the entire story at DNAInfo.

Rejected!

Breaking into show biz has always been rough, as this script rejection form letter from Uptown's fabled Essanay Studios shows.

Check mark next to "Idea has been done before."  (Hasn't stopped half the movies made this century from getting done.)

It comes from a fun website called Retronaut that invites you to "Explore Any Time You Like" and is full of ephemera from the 1300s to present day.  Elvis wearing a feather headdress?  A 1919 guide to "keeping fit" that includes sex ed?  A short film shot by Thomas Edison at the corner of State and Madison in 1897?  It's all there.

Tree Decorating & Lighting Ceremony This Friday

New Phase For Wilson Mens Club?

We don't want to read too much into this, but the possibilities are intriguing. 

From the latest newsletter of Manske Dieckmann Thompson architects:

Wilson Men's Hotel Study.  MDT has been retained by Bomberg Property Management to study alternative uses and exterior upgrades for the Wilson Men's Hotel.  The Hotel is located in Chicago's Uptown neightborhood at 1124 West Wilson Avenue.

Help Wanted: Executive Director

Paula Barrington, Executive Director at Business Partners - The Chamber For Uptown, has stepped down, so there's a job opening.  If you want to apply or know anyone who might be interested, please contact Business Partners for a complete job description, or write to us at uptownupdate@hotmail.com and we can forward one on to you.

Paula, thank you for two years of a job well done.  Uptown is better for your having been here.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION.  The Executive Director is the chief administrator of Business Partners-the Chamber for Uptown, whose mission is to be the primary advocate, voice and support organization for the historic and diverse Uptown business community. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and manages the day-to-day operations and staff, in accordance with plans, policies, and standards established by the Board of Directors.  Working closely with Uptown United and its other partner groups on strategic planning and shared goals for the Uptown community, the Executive Director is also the Chamber’s liaison with government agencies, community groups, and businesses.

Position is primarily Monday-Friday, 9-5. Regular evenings and weekends required for events and community meetings.

UU Note:  To clarify, Uptown Update is not affiliated with Business Partners in any way.  We just happen to have a copy of the job description that we can send to people who might be interested in applying.

Remember To Shop Local

As you do your holiday shopping, remember our local merchants and restaurants.  According to People Who Know, even shifting 10% of your purchasing power from a national chain to a locally owned business can have a powerful effect on the community's economic health.

Friday Night Dancing At The Spot

Police Officer, Resident Hospitalized After Lawrence House Fire

via Sun-Times

A Chicago police officer and a resident of an Uptown apartment building were hospitalized Thursday from a fire in the building.

The fire occurred just before noon in a fifth floor apartment at the Lawrence House, a high-rise apartment building at 1020 W. Lawrence Ave., according to Fire Media Affairs.

The small fire was quickly extinguished, but a police officer and resident were taken to hospitals with smoke inhalation, according to Fire Media. The police officer was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital, while the resident was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital.

The CTA’s No. 151 bus has been rerouted around the scene of the fire, according to the CTA. The buses were being rerouted in both directions via Sheridan, Foster, Marine Drive, Wilson, and Sheridan, because of the fire department activity.

Uptown neighborhood Ald. James Cappleman (46th) who was at the scene of the fire, Tweeted, “I’m very thankful today for our great Fire Department!”

End Your Weekend At The Green Mill

The local new music ensemble Anaphora will be performing at The Green Mill this Sunday, November 25 at 2PM. The concert is called "Sounds of Chicago" and features all contemporary Chicago composers (each of whom will be in attendance) and three local premieres.

Below is the concert program, which is also listed at http://greenmilljazz.com/events/2pm-new-music-concert-featuring-anaphora.

Program:

• WORLD PREMIERE/Sarah J. Ritch commission
• MIDWEST PREMIERE/Marcos Balter's "à vis" for clarinet and violin
• PREMIERE IN ITS ENTIRETY/George Flynn's "Three Diversions" for woodwind quintet
• Seth Boustead's "Dissonance Still Talking"
• Ilya Levinson's "Shadows" based on sculptures of Herbert George

Lineup: Allie Deaver-Petchenik & Emma Gerstein, flutes - Jonathan Thompson, oboe - Cory Tiffin & Richard Zili, clarinets - Hanna Sterba, bassoon - Sang Mee Lee & Aurelien Pederzoli, violins - Alexander Smith, viola - Paul Ghica & Sara Sitzer, cellos - Daniel Schlosberg, piano

The Reservoir Open Thanksgiving Night

Too much family? Not enough family? The folks at The Reservoir want you to know:

"The Reservoir" at 844 W. Montrose will be open on Thanksgiving for drinks only. The kitchen will be closed but the bar will open around 6pm. Guests are welcome to bring in their own food if they like. It should be a great time with lots of regulars from the area.

Enjoy!

First Look At JDL's Maryville Plans

From Ald. Cappleman's newsletter today:

"It was great to see many of you among the packed audience at Clarendon Park Fieldhouse last week. I heard really good feedback during the discussion of the development proposal at the Maryville property site located at the corner of Montrose & Clarendon. Click here to view the current proposal.

The next steps for this proposal include a second public meeting on December 13 (Thursday) at 7pm at Clarendon Park Fieldhouse.  The Zoning & Development Committee will begin meeting in January to provide further input into this development.  These meetings will be open to the public.  The 46th Ward website will always publish the latest draft of the proposal a week before the committee meets."

Note:  These are not renderings.  Exterior images show building height and size, NOT architectural plan.

Lawrence House Owners File Liquor License Application At Former Arnold's

A reader sent us a notice she received in the mail about a liquor license application filed under the name "Broadway Tavern" for the storefront at Irving Park and Broadway that housed Arnold's Restaurant until it closed in September 2010.

The last we heard of what might be happening in that space was in December 2011, when the owner of 2nd Story Counseling told us that:  "We have been told by the landlord that some type of a bar and/or restaurant is moving into the space below our offices sometime in the early part of 2012.  ... The owners of this space would be the same folks who operated the Green Dolphin."

So Don and Sam Menetti, the owners of the Green Dolphin Street jazz club, as well as Lawrence House, 4526 Sheridan, and other Housing Court mainstays were going to open a bar there?  When we saw the liquor license request, we looked to see who might be behind it.  Nothing on the Public Notice about that.

So off we went to the City of Chicago website to see the names of entities filing liquor licenses in the past six weeks.  And there it was:

So not a Menetti, then?  Wait, not so fast. 

A little Googling shows that the Menetti brothers are also known as the Mehmeti brothers.  In fact, Burim Mehmeti is named as a defendant in the foreclosure papers filed by FirstMerit Bank against Lawrence House, Astor House, and the other properties owned by the family.

So, it's a shocker to us that the Menetti family would want to do any more business in the 46th Ward, but ... there you have it.  Is Uptown ready for another Green Dolphin Street?

We are dubious, and not just because of the negligence with which they have treated their residential tenants at Lawrence House and 4526 N Sheridan.  Green Dolphin Street has also had a troubled history under the Menettis'/Mehmetis' ownership, including several instances of violence.  We are very aware that Lawrence House's many issues, problematic to both its residents and the community, only began to be resolved when the court ordered that the Menettis turn it over to the management of a receiver.

There's an extensive article in the Inside-Booster from last March that details the plans for the new club at Irving Park and  Broadway, and also goes into the problems experienced under the Menettis' ownership and management of the Green Dolphin and the residential buildings.

Argyle Winmore To Meet On Tuesday

This block club is bordered by Foster to the North, Lawrence to the South, Broadway to the West, and Sheridan to the East.

Volunteer Opportunity: Tax Preparation In Uptown

Do more than make it through the winter—make a difference.  The Center for Economic Progress is looking for volunteers to work one-on-one with low-income families to help them move toward financial security.

To volunteer at a tax preparation site:

• No experience is necessary—choose a position to fit your current skills or learn something new. All trainings are provided; online training is available November-January, classroom training will be available on January 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th.
• Volunteers are asked to commit 20 hours (averaging to a few hours a week) between January and April.
• Our Uptown tax site, located at Truman College at 1145 W. Wilson, is open in the evening Monday through Thursday and in the daytime on Saturday.

Volunteer positions available as…

• Tax preparers: Work with clients to file federal and state tax returns and provide counseling on tax credits and forms.
• Tax site assistants: Perform essential non-tax-preparation activities, including client intake, translating and educating on basic banking options available on site.

Be part of a mission that returned over $29 million to hardworking Illinois families last year! Register to volunteer, view training schedules and find a site near you at www.economicprogress.org/volunteer.

Up Close And Personal At The Uptown Broadway Building

photo copyrighted by DesignSlinger

The architecture history blog, DesignSlinger, which took an admiring look at Bridgeview Bank a few weeks ago, has now turned its attention to the beauty of the Uptown Broadway Building.  Above is one of several amazing photos they took of the monument to architectural excess located at Leland and Broadway.  Check it all out here.  There's a short history of the UBB, too.  (Walter Alschlanger, who designed the Sheridan Plaza, also did the UBB.)

Probably a good time to think good thoughts about Thaddeus Wong of @properties, who in 2008 rescued the building from the scary place it had become, to the tune of $4,000,000 (in the DesignSlinger article, we learned that the building cost $400,000 to build in 1926 -- the equivalent of $5,000,000 today.)

In other UBB news, a reader tells us that Apartment Vigilantes, which had rented out the southern main floor space, has moved out, apparently sometime last week.  We're not sure if they've moved somewhere else or shut down their business.  If you know anyone who's looking for office space in a gorgeous landmark, have them contact UBBOS at the number below or through its website.

Holiday Happenings At B&N

Baker & Nosh is located at 1303 W. Wilson (at Malden).

Free Wi-Fi At Luna Cafe

Want a place to drink coffee and study or surf the web?

If Starbuck's is too crowded, or if you want to try something new, try the Luna Cafe at 1217 West Wilson (at Magnolia).

Take advantage of the student discount and the free wi-fi while you're there.

SBIF Money Available for Business Owners

From Ald. Osterman's latest newsletter:

Lawrence/Broadway SBIF Program Open.   The Lawrence/ Broadway TIF district has recently been re-opened to receive applications for the Small Business Improvement Fund.  The district has about $300,000 and no current applicants.  The deadline is November 30, 2012.  If you have questions about applying for SBIF, please contact Sara Dinges at Sara@48thward.org or 773-784-5277.

SBIF's purpose is "to help owners of commercial and industrial properties within specific TIF districts to repair or remodel their facilities," with specific guidelines in place; they're listed on the City's website.  The Lawrence/Broadway TIF encompasses 74 acres, and its boundaries can be seen in the map above.

Adult Tutors Needed

Interested in a volunteer opportunity?

"The Mercy Housing Learning Program is seeking volunteers interested in tutoring adults with low literacy.  The qualifications involve volunteering at least one hour every week for 6 months.  A background in education is preferred but not required.  We will provide a free 12 hour training in ABE (Adult Basic Education). 

Subjects include GED prep, basic math, basic reading, basic writing as well as financial literacy.  Mercy Housing has seven locations on the north side (all locations are in the Uptown/Lakeview area).  If you are interested, please contact Sam Reese at 872-213-1109 or SReese@mercyhousing.org, or stop by our Education, Technology and Employment Center located at 1011 W Argyle"

Uptown Health Care Survey

click to enlarge

A reminder to please take five minutes to fill out the health survey from Cook County Cmsr. Bridget Gainer.  Last time she ran it, the results were able to produce additional money for health services in Uptown.

"As many of you already know, Commissioner Bridget Gainer has launched a full Health Needs Assessment of the Uptown and South Edgewater neighborhoods. Our goal is to reach out to as many residents, healthcare providers and other community stakeholders and ask them to fill out a survey with questions ranging from general current health conditions to the levels of accessibility and affordability of health, dental and mental care.

Last conducted in 2010, the Health Needs Assessment found serious gaps in dental, mental health and specialty care in the Uptown community.  If fact, more than half of respondents said they had not seen a dentist in over five years and 90% were unaware of local mental health resources. The results of the 2010 survey did not go unnoticed and with the help and support of the Cook County Health and Hospital system and neighborhood partners, Commissioner Gainer was able to fund additional dental and mental health services in the community.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office via email at Info@Bridgetgainer.com or by phone at 312-603-4210."  

You can get print-outs of the survey from Cmsr. Gainer's office for people who may not have online access, or you can write to uptownupdate@hotmail.com and we will forward you the original email with a hard copy attachment of the survey that you can print out.

Holiday Goodies From Baker & Nosh

Baker & Nosh is located at 1303 W. Wilson (at Malden).

Community Guidelines For Maryville Property

It's pretty obvious that the previous developer's attempt at acquiring and building on the Maryville property was shambolic, from the pressure put on an alderman not even two months into his term to make a binding decision on one of the biggest projects in Uptown, to the lack of willingness by the developer to meet with the community as a whole, to the discrepancies discovered between the renderings and the blueprints, to the ever-changing scope of the project. 

It's fair to say that most of us want to see development on at least two of the three parcels making up the Maryville property, but the previous project was in our opinion too tall, too changeable, and too untrustworthy, and was rightly rejected by the majority of the community representatives on the Zoning & Development Committee.

Yet out of all of that came something good:  Community Guidelines for future developers of the Maryville property, with input from the alderman's office, Uptown United, the Zoning and Development Committee, and Uptown residents.

Take a look at it on the Uptown United website.  It explains the sizes and locations of the three parcels comprising the property and suggests how each could be used.  It also addresses the issues of height, the use of TIF funds, traffic density, and much more.  It may help alleviate some of the questions that are coming up in the comments about the proposed new development from JDL.

Greek Is The Word

Earlier this month, a reader noticed brown butcher paper up in the window of The Best Steak House at Wilson and Broadway and wondered what might be going in.  Turns out the answer is can be found at the Uptown United website:

Coming soon to Uptown will be the third location for north suburban-based Dengeos Restaurant. Dengeos originally opened in 1972 and offers a variety of high quality Greek and American specialties like gyros, ribs, Greek and BBQ chicken, burgers, housemade baked goods, and plentiful salads.

Dengeos will taking over the space occupied by longtime Uptown restaurant The Best Steakhouse at the southwest corner of Wilson and Broadway. The location will be completely remodeled and a target date for Dengeos opening is yet to be determined. To get a sense of Dengeos' offerings, visit www.dengeos.com.

We look forward to Denegeos' opening.

The "Yield" Is Healed

The poor mangled pedestrian crossing sign at Clark and Argyle has been resurrected, back to factory new specs.  Much better.

"Natural Life Plus 60 Years In Prison"

Uptown doesn't have to worry about Spencer Martin any more.

The Vice Lords gang member, now 35 years old, formerly of the 4200 block of Broadway, will be making the Illinois Department of Corrections his home for the rest of his life, according to a judge's ruling Thursday.  "Natural life plus sixty years in prison."  No parole.  No deals.  No earned time off for good behavior.

Residents who were here in 2006 might remember the robbery and shooting at the BP station at Lawrence and Clarendon on February 4th of that year.  A video showed a van rolling up, driven by one man (later identified as Earl Willis), and another man (later identified as Spencer Martin) getting out to rob a customer who was there buying potato chips.  Mr. Martin shot the man in the pelvis, and attempted to shoot him again, three times, but the gun jammed.  The van then took off.

The 23rd District court advocates followed the case.  Someone who was in court for the sentencing told us how Mr. Martin's attorney pleaded for his client, citing that he was an involved father, he supported his family, and that he was continuing his education.  He made some good points, the judge said, but if that gun hadn't jammed, they would all be there looking at a murder charge.  The judge sentenced Mr. Martin to 24 years in the pen.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

For all the good things his attorney said about him, Spencer Martin had some secrets.  For one, he had tried to pay off the victim not to testify against him.  For another, he had shot and tried to murder two brothers who bumped into him at Fat Albert's restaurant at 69th and Ashland three weeks before the BP robbery.  And the biggest secret of all, he had murdered the driver of the van, Earl Willis, shortly after the robbery at the BP station.  The videotape of Mr. Willis driving the van away from the BP station was the last time he was ever seen alive.

But there was another secret Mr. Martin didn't know:  His driver was a federal informant.  At the time of his death, Earl Willis was an "active informant" for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

It's all very CSI how they caught him, with DNA matching Mr. Martin taken from a bottle of brandy found in the pocket of the coat covering Mr. Willis's body, and bullet casings from all three incidents matching.  You can read about it in the Sun-Times and Tribune.  It was a very nice job by the police on a cold case.

The murder of a federal informant ensured that Spencer Martin will never again live as a free man.  Remember the name next time you vote for judges:  "Steven Goebel."  A strong sentence for a harsh crime.

"Hannukatz The Musical" Opening Nov. 29 At National Pastime Theater

From Lisa Dell at National Pastime Theater:

"I am with the National Pastime Theater (941 W. Lawrence Ave, 4th Floor, Chicago) and their family-friendly, holiday event HANNUKATZ THE MUSICAL! The interactive production is based on the book "Hannukatz Saves Hannukah" by local author (and Uptown resident) Terry Abrahamson. HANNUKATZ THE MUSICAL features the tie-dyed Meowmulkah-sporting title character on his Hannukah-eve visit to a Skokie family in need of the holiday spirit. The musical is recommended for those who celebrate Hannukah and those who don't.

We'd like to extend a special invitation to your members to attend the show! The official opening is Thurs, Nov 29 and runs every Friday-Sunday thereafter through the end of the year. Individual tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for kids. BUT, I can offer group tickets at a discount of up to $10 off per ticket! I'm happy to help facilitate a group/discounted purchase.

More information about HANNUKATZ may be found here: http://www.npt2.com/hannukatz/hannukatz.htm and https://www.facebook.com/HannukatzTheMusical. Or, you may call the box office at 773-327-7077."

Ten Thousand Ripples Come To Uptown

You may be seeing a familiar face in some unfamiliar surroundings for the next few months.  Uptown is one of ten Chicago communities taking part in a collaborative public art and civic engagement project called Ten Thousand Ripples, and sculptures of an emerging Buddha are popping up all over the community.

The artist, Chicagoan Indira Johnson, says:  "A powerful and profound need exists within each of us to know that peace is possible in spite of the violence that surrounds us.  Ten Thousand Ripples is a reminder of that need.  It invokes the image of an emerging Buddha as a widely held symbol of peace, inviting people to think about how they can find peace in their own lives and in their communities."

Buddhas were installed Thursday, at Somerset Place (5019 N Sheridan) (top photo), in the window at MDT Architects (4619 N Broadway), at Bridgeview Bank (Broadway and Clifton) (above), and at the Aragon (Lawrence and Winthrop).  We've also heard of few more, at Alternatives (4730 N Sheridan), in the parking lot at 1067 N Lawrence, and at Hao Lan salon (1059 W Argyle).  

Keep an eye out, they're everywhere!  Nine other communities are having similar Buddha outbreaks, including Albany Park, Pilsen, Rogers Park, and South Chicago this fall.  Next spring we'll be joined by Auburn Gresham, Back of the Yards, Evanston, Little Village, and North Lawndale.  The project culminates with a July 2013 exhibit at the Loyola University Museum of Art.

Ten Thousand Ripples isn't just public art.  Expect to see participatory activities, like a community bike ride of Buddhas, and art projects based around them.  If you'd like to follow the Ten Thousand Ripples project, you can visit the website or follow them on Facebook.

"Shred It & Forget It" -- Back By Popular Demand

Rep. Greg Harris and Ald. James Cappleman are offering another chance to recycle your electronics and shred your personal paper trails.  Rep. Harris says:

Reminder: Shred It and Forget About It (Again)
Back by Popular Demand!!

Do you have boxes of documents that you need to get rid of?  How about old cell phones or electronics?  This Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m., Rep. Greg Harris and Ald. James Cappleman will be hosting a Shred Day and Electronic Recycling at 4544 N Broadway.  (Just outside Ald. Cappleman's office)

Do some fall cleaning and protect your identity by shredding unwanted personal, financial or confidential documents for FREE.  Please remember to remove all your documents from binders and remove any paper clips as well before coming out to the trucks.

Also bring your unwanted electronics and have them recycled, too.  Laptops, PCs, servers, monitors, data storage devices, printers, fax/copy machines, cell phones, VCRs, DVD players, video cameras, lan line phones and game consoles are among the types of electronic equipment that will be collected for recycling at the event.   See you Saturday!

For more information contact our office at (773) 348-3434 or email at coleman@gregharris.org."  You can also call the 46th Ward Office at (773) 878-4646.

Victory For "Team Lobbyists"

 

Brendan and Helen Shiller should be very happy:  The client for whom they are registered lobbyists won a 19-year battle with the city yesterday.

According to a draft agreement that awaits Rahm's signature, Pooh Bah Enterprises, who run "VIP’s A Gentlemen’s Club," won the right to remain in business, as long as it pays the City $1.5million in disputed taxes and $1million in legal fees.  It also can't break the adult entertainment ordinance even once in a one-year period without the club being shut down for good.

We can't wait to see who the next client is, after this win with "Chicago’s only full liquor & topless bar."  (The whole story is in the Sun-Times.)  And seriously, we wish the former alderman a lot of satisfaction in this next phase of her life.  She devoted nearly four decades to Uptown.  It  must be a relief to deal with issues that lie far outside the ward and community.  We urge more of the same ... strongly.