"Park Chicago" Is Here

No more running back to the paybox to put in more money if you have a smartphone and a credit card.  ParkChicago has come to Wilson Avenue (and maybe some other major streets).

Harry Osterman says in his latest newsletter:

"Park Chicago Coming to the 48th Ward.  On Tuesday, June 3 signs will start being installed in the 48th Ward announcing "Park Chicago." Park Chicago is a new option to pay for street parking with your mobile device. With Park Chicago, there is no need to use the paybox, there are no parking receipts and no need to physically extend your parking time.

To start off, sign up online at parkchicago.com or download the mobile app. The Park Chicago signs will be distributed throughout the city, so when you park, make sure you enter the specific zone number associated with the area you are in. Then, enter your license plate number and the amount of time you wish to stay. If your time is less then 2 hours, there is an extra 35 cent convenience fee, there is no fee for 2 hours or more. Ten minutes before your time expires, you will get a notification on your phone, if you wish to add more time, just click on the extend button and choose your new length of stay.

There is no need for receipts on dashboards because parking enforcement knows you paid through your license plate number.  For more information, visit www.parkchicago.com."

Have You Seen This Woman? Updated: She Was Located And Is Safe

Update:  The CPD sent out a notice at 1:49am that Ms. Kontalonis has been found and is safe. Good news.

Original story:  Please be on the lookout for Angie Kontalonis, age 79, who wandered away from her family at Maifest tonight, near Lincoln and Leland.

She suffers from mild dementia and may be confused.  She is classified as a High Risk Missing Person.

She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, a black coat, and black pants.  She is 5'5", 140 lbs. and has white hair and brown eyes.

If you see her, please call 911 or contact the Chicago Police Area North Special Victims Unit at 312-744-8266.

Deer Me!

Around 7am Friday, some wildlife not usually seen in Uptown were spotted in the park.  The reader who sent us these photos says, "Two huge deer were stranded on the triangle of grass at the LSD Wilson entrance ramp. Darting towards LSD but ... Eventually crossing the ramp and heading west."

According to CBS Chicago, they eventually made their way down to Irving Park and Marine Drive, where police were called, and then Animal Control.  The deer were captured unharmed, and presumably are being relocated.

An Open Letter Of Appreciation To A Generous Community

The fire may have taken their possessions, but not their sense of appreciation for kindnesses received. Well done, Uptowners, and continued good wishes for the three families whose lives were turned upside down by the fire.

The Pivot Arts Festival Begins In Uptown Tonight

The Pivot Arts Festival, which plays in Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park from May 28 through June 15th, begins its Uptown activities tonight.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Alternatives presents two original plays about the politics of eating and hunger, called Worthy and We Gotta Eat.

Saturday is The Acoustics of House, including a salute to Frankie Knuckles, at the Wilson Avenue Theater, right next to Sonic.

Next Saturday is a Chicago Architecture Foundation walking tour of historic Uptown.

See our original post here and the Pivot Arts Festival page here.

Cheer On The Avon Walkers Sunday Morning

This weekend the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer comes to Chicago, and the walkers will be making their way through Uptown on Sunday morning.  You can cheer them on from designated points along the route and give them lots of encouragement.  They'll be walking from Horner Park to Soldier Field, and here are the local designated cheering stations:

• They leave from the Horner Park area (Rockwell and Belle Plaine) early in the morning (peak viewing time there is 7:30am-8am).
• The next cheering station is Quizno's at Damen and Leland.  Peak viewing times there are 7:45am-8:15am.
• Then they end up passing McCutcheon School.  The cheering station is the NE corner of Sheridan and Ainslie, and peak viewing times there are 8:30am-9:30am.
• They're in the park next, on the lakefront path.  The official cheering station is located on the grassy area at the southwest corner of Montrose Avenue and the Lakefront Path.  Peak viewing times are 8:45am-9:45am.
• They continue south all the way to the Peggy Notebart Museum.

In 2013, Chicago Avon Walkers raised more than $5.2 million to support local programs serving breast cancer patients and researchers committed to finding a cure. 

Many of the walkers are coming from out of town to be part of this event. Please make them feel at home and welcome in Uptown!

Positive Loitering Resumes Tonight At Broadway & Wilson

A note from the Uptown Chicago Commission:

"Positive Loitering will resume tonight at the southeast corner of Broadway and Wilson, near the currency exchange, from 7PM to 8PM.  This begins the fifth year that community members have stood at trouble spots in the 19th District on Friday evenings.

Please join your neighbors for an hour this evening from 7-8pm. 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. 

The 19th District Police are aware of and encourage our efforts.  As always, they will stand with us and/or drive past our location every few minutes to lend support."

Community Meeting About Red Line Station Upgrades North Of Wilson

There will be another meeting next week regarding the proposed updating of the four Red Line stations north of Wilson. Ald. Osterman sent out a notice:

"CTA Community Meeting - June 3. Join us on Tuesday, June 3 for a public meeting on the CTA RPM (Red Purple Modernization) project. The meeting will take place at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway, first floor) at 6:30pm.

CTA officials and engineers will discuss the Red Purple Modernization project and its impact on Bryn Mawr, Berwyn and Argyle "L" stops. The project will include full ADA accessibility, wider platforms and better lighting and security features.

If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact Sara Dinges at 773-784-5277 or Sara@48thward.org."

Graceland West Yard Sale This Saturday

Bargain Hunters, start your engines!

Graceland West Community Garage & Yard Sale

Saturday May 31st, 9AM-4PM

Irving Park Road to Montrose Ave, Ashland Ave to Clark Street

• Heavy concentration on Greenview Avenue (one block west of Clark)
• Multiple families
• Lots of great stuff including: Toys, vintage items, art supplies, books, baby clothes, artwork, electronics, sports equipment, adult clothing, antiques, music, videos, plants, household items, furniture, 150 piece shot glass collection, appliances and much much more........

Owner Puts Building Damaged By December Fire Up For Sale

You might remember last December, when the vintage three-flat at 4631 North Kenmore experienced a devastating fire in the middle of the night.  The building was vacant and there were no injuries.  It had been bought six months earlier by someone who had hoped to restore it to its 1901 grandeur.

A reader reports that the damaged building is again up for sale, for an asking price of $400,000 (originally purchased in May 2013 for $375,000).

A note on its listing says:  "Gorgeous historical building. Property needs full rehab and new porch. 3 car garage. Up-and-coming area. Redevelopment throughout neighborhood. Last un-renovated building on the block. There has recently been a fire at this property. Insomuch as seller can not guarantee the safety of anyone entering the property, there will be no showings for this property. The property is being sold as-is condition."

After the fire, many readers expressed the hope that the building would be found to be structurally sound and would be able to be restored.  If you know anyone who's willing to take on a fire-damaged vintage building, please steer them to the listing.

Ten Million Dollars Towards Renovation Of Uptown Theater? Could Happen

a sketch of the theater
from 1926

It's been a rather ignoble year for the Uptown Theater, what with the giant icicle in the basement, the trips to housing court, and the gas being turned off.

But it just got a very, very nice gift from the State of Illinois: the possibility of Ten Million Dollars to go towards the theater's renovation.

It all depends on how the State Senate votes. The current session ends on May 31st, so we'll know very soon whether it will happen.

It's not the $70 million that's been projected for a complete overhaul of the theater, but it would be a real nice down payment and a kickstarter for the project if it passes.

From the Tribune:

The Illinois House approved ... a $10 million pork-barrel grant for the Uptown Theatre on Wednesday as lawmakers churned through more budget bills in their push to beat a midnight Saturday adjournment deadline.

State lawmakers began stepping on the pedal as they advanced measures on issues... The infusion of cash for Chicago teachers and the Uptown money are part of the deal making that went into putting together a budget that can pass the Democratic-led House and Senate. 

[...]

As for the Uptown Theatre money, Chicago Democratic Sen. Heather Steans, a budget point person, said it was a request made in negotiations by Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. Steans, whose district includes the shuttered theater, said the well-known event site needs the money for upgrading so it can reopen as part of a broader plan to spur development in the neighborhood.

“It is dilapidated building, but it is one that has a lot of historical significance,” Steans said. “It’s one of the landmarks there in the music community. It’s a hugely needed project.”

Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon confirmed the Senate president reassigned $10 million from a prior year’s appropriation that had gone unused and put it toward the Uptown site because “he really believes the theater can be a centerpiece” in the attempts to attract business and tourism to the neighborhood.

The Sun-Times is a little more succinct:

The Illinois House has approved legislation that ... includes spending to help in the renovation of the Uptown Theater....

The legislation is part of a $31 billion capital construction program that lawmakers approved in 2009. The package was largely paid for through legalizing video poker, raising taxes on candy, liquor and beauty products and by privatizing the Illinois lottery.

The legislation was approved Wednesday. It next heads to the Illinois Senate.

It contains a $10 million renovation of Chicago's Uptown Theatre.

Updated Signage At Ba Le

Ba Le has a handsome new logo and sign.  We love what the second generation of owners has done to modernize some of the shops on Argyle while honoring their parents' original visions:  La Patisserie P, Sun Wah, and Ba Le, to name just a few.

We wonder if the addition of the words "banh mi sandwiches" are to differentiate the sandwich shop from the forthcoming "Desserts and Drinks" store the owners are planning to open at Ba Le's original location next door.

Aerial View of Clark Construction Site

A bird's eye view of the progress on the construction going on behind the green screens at 4415-4423 North Clark.  We've followed the progress on this lot since the original buildings were declared "off limits" in 2011 after a fire and years of vacancies.  After a zoning change application went up in 2012, construction began a few months ago.  Thank you to reader B.S. for this photo.

Talk With Photographer Bob Rehak Online At Wilson Abbey

You can read more about Bob Rehak and his work here.

Puptown Gets A Reboot, Invites You To Be Part of It (Starting Tonight!)

In case you haven't noticed, Puptown at Lawrence and Marine has been experienced a revitalization. A new advisory committee has begun their terms, and they invite you to be part of it.

Tonight there's a park cleaning scheduled, so please bring your pooch and invest 15 minutes of your time helping to tidy up while your dog cavorts with its buddies.

Here's a press release from Puptown outlining some of what's been going on there lately.  If you're interested in finding out more, follow them on Facebook or on their many new social media sites.

“Puptown,” one of Chicago’s most popular “Dog Friendly Areas” has a new advisory committee.

Colleen Opal is President of the new committee, Steve Grzanich is Vice President, Yusef Garcia will oversee fundraising, David Goyer remains as Treasurer and Alexander Ruiz is the group’s webmaster. Ellen Szalinski remains as Member at Large along with newcomers Donna Forsberg and Gretchen Metzler.

The Dog Friendly Area Committee is an all-volunteer organization responsible for overseeing Puptown and raising money for its maintenance and upkeep. Puptown receives no financial support from the city and is financed by park patrons and neighborhood sponsors. One of its main fundraisers is the annual dog and owner costume contest and party “Howl-O-Ween” held around Halloween.

The new advisory committee’s top goal is to get more neighbors involved in moving Puptown forward. “We want Puptown to be the best dog park in Chicago,” says Grzanich.

As part of that effort, the council has stepped up its social media campaign and launching new YouTube, Instagram, and Flickr pages to join its already established Facebook and Twitter sites. The group has also launched a redesign of its website.

“We want to thank the previous advisory council members under the leadership of Pete Leiser for handing off a park in great condition and on solid financial footing,” says Grzanich. “Without the dedication of Pete and other neighbors, this wonderful space for our dogs would not exist but we need more people to get involved too.”

Puptown, which was established in 2000, sits on 1/3 acre on the north side of Lawrence Avenue just east of Marine Drive in the Chicago Park District’s Margate Park. It is one of 21 Dog Friendly Areas within the Chicago Park District where dogs are allowed to run and play off-leash, the only areas in the city where this is allowed.

For a list of all DFA’s click here: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/dog-friendly-areas/

Two Opportunities To Garden Next Saturday

If you're into gardening and community-building, there are two volunteer opportunities next Saturday for you to help "grow" Uptown.

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You may remember that a large group of volunteers planted ornamental grasses, marigolds, roses and lilacs in the abandoned planters and flower beds at the Uptown Post Office (Broadway & Gunnison) last August.  Thanks to a grant, there are funds to give them a freshening-up.  Elizabeth Lindau writes,

"Chicago Cares and WBEZ have teamed up for a Day of Service, and I'm pleased to share that NUNA Block Club's post office garden was selected as one of their 22 projects! On Saturday, May 31st, we'll be spreading new mulch and planting replacement grasses and annuals. Come out and volunteer! All are welcome!" Gardening will take place 9am-11am.

---

A little further south, BPN says:

"Join your neighbors in Buena Park on Saturday, May 31 at 10am

Come and join in  beautifying our neighborhood by planting flowers and other beautiful plants! Bring the kids to this family-friendly event.

Meet at Brennemann Elementary School (on Clarendon Ave. south of W. Jr. Terrace)
We will be planting in front of the school and in other public spots* in Buena Park.

* Email general@buenaparkneighbors.org by May 29 if you have a public space in Buena Park where you would like to plant.  BPN will provide soil and plants as needed."

Drink & Ink Gets Dolled Up

Drink & Ink, the tattoo-inspired tavern that is preparing to open next door to the Tattoo Factory, is going to have some unique decor.  Check out the hand-painted ceiling fabric being installed and the piercing stud-enhanced bar.  These are in addition to the bar stool art created by some of the tattoo artists next door.  Should be an interesting visual site to behold.  You can read more about the bar, which is located at 4441 N Broadway, here.  "Like" its Facebook page to follow the progress.

New Apartment Complex Proposed For Buena Park

Image courtesy of Google Streetview

From Buena Park Neighbors:

"Meeting for 20 Unit Apartment Complex Proposed for 4027 N. Broadway.  An informational presentation for Buena Park residents will be held to discuss a proposal for a 20 unit apartment complex at 4027 N. Broadway, currently occupied by the Ace Furniture. The developer will be presenting the plan and will take questions.

What:  Meeting on proposed apartment complex at 4027 N. Broadway
When:  Monday, June 2nd
Time:  7 pm
Place:  4101 N. Broadway (across from Michael's Pizza)

Everyone living in Buena Park is welcome at this meeting and will be given time to share their opinion."

City Sticker Renewal Time

It's city sticker season for those who own vehicles registered in the city of Chicago.

The big change this year is that when you renew, you'll be given two options:  Long-term and short-term, based on the date your license plate tag expires.  It's complicated, so read about it here on the City Clerk's website.

If you've been a Chicagoan for any length of time, you know that city employees will be out at 12:01am on July 16th looking for violators and writing tickets.

The City Clerk's staff will be making stops in each ward between now and July 12th so you have the opportunity to purchase your sticker in person.  You should also be getting something in the mail to renew, or you can do it online.  The City Clerk's website lists the various options.

If you'd like to buy a city sticker in person, here's the schedule for Uptown and surrounding areas:

• Wednesday, May 28th, 9am-3pm - 48th Ward, 5533 North Broadway
• Saturday, May 31st, 9am-2pm - 47th Ward, 4455 North Lincoln
• Monday, June 9th, noon-6pm - 44th Ward, 3223 North Sheffield
• Tuesday, June 10th, 10am-4pm - 46th Ward, 4501 North Clarendon

Bike The Drive On A Picture Perfect Day

For the 13th consecutive Memorial Day weekend, cyclists took over Lake Shore Drive for a morning, and made it their own from Hollywood to 57th Street.  Here are some photos from the Uptown portion.  20,000 21,000 riders took part in the event.  At 10:15, the police started moving northbound riders off the Drive and onto the Lakefront Trail, and cars and buses reclaimed the entire Drive as of 11am.

Bike The Drive is organized by and benefits the Active Transportation Alliance and is sponsored by MB Financial Bank.  ATA's mission is to promote healthier forms of transportation.

Lakefront Path Finally Getting Some Repairs?

Anyone got any info on this?  Gene Tenner took these photos and says, "Not sure what is going on here, but these photos of barges loaded with boulders were taken at the east end of Belmont Harbor. A staging area for reconstructing the lakefront from Waveland to Montrose?"

The Army Corps of Engineers has been assigned these repairs, and have been saying they're imminent since 2011.  Let's hope this is the beginning of them.

Man Shot At Windsor/Hazel Tonight, Updated: Victim Has Died

You're going to want to avoid Hazel and Windsor for a while, as it was the site of a shooting around 8:05 tonight, and now it's blocked off as police investigate.

Witnesses tell us they heard up to seven gunshots and a man was then seen lying on the ground near the southwest corner of the intersection.  First responders were on the scene within a minute or two.  The victim was put on a gurney, and was taken away by ambulance within ten minutes of being shot.

The police have taped off the intersection and are currently conducting an evidence investigation.

More when/if we hear more.

Update:  The Tribune has a paragraph in a larger article about the shootings around Chicago this weekend: "About 8:05 p.m., a 23-year-old man was shot in the chest in the 900 block of Windsor Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood. He was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, police said."

The Sun-Times says the man was shot in the chest and is critically wounded.

Update:  The shooting has become a murder.  The man passed away from wounds sustained.  Our sympathies to his friends and family who grieve his loss.

Update:  Ald. Cappleman tweeted:  "Victim from today's shooting died. Will discuss plan with police to prevent possible retaliation. Had spoken many warnings to CVLs [Conservative Vice Lord street gang] recently."

Update:  The victim is Corteze Reed, whose address is given as the 1900 block of Chase Avenue in Rogers Park (although he has been a familiar face in Uptown since at least 2009).  Witnesses who heard the shooting say they didn't see any cars speeding away, so it may have been a pedestrian or a biker who fired the shots.  Again, our condolences to Mr. Reed's friends and family, who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Uptowners Help Families Displaced By Fire

Ald. Cappleman tweeted this photo of the donations his office has received for the three families forced from their homes earlier this month by a building fire.  He said,

"An unbelievable response for clothing and food for families affected by fire. 3 or 4 large truckloads so far."

We've heard of residents who brought in donations, asked what was still needed, and then went down the street to Target to buy more. Awesome indeed.

If you'd like to make a donation of goods (cash can't be accepted), the list of what is needed, along with sizes, is here. We haven't heard specifically in this case, but new undergarments are always welcome and not often thought of.

The 46th Ward office is closed Saturday and Monday for the holiday weekend, but will reopen on Tuesday, with late hours on Wednesday, and Saturday morning hours resuming next weekend.

Thank you to everyone who has helped these families.  Your generosity is overwhelming.

Take The Uptown ArtWalk To Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month

The weather is finally decent, so take advantage and take the ArtWalk down Broadway between Wilson and Argyle.  Many of the storefronts are featuring original works of art by Asian artists in celebration of APHM.  We don't know all the locations, but we've seen the windows at Uptown Bikes, Uptown Ace Hardware, the former Borders, and Shake Rattle & Read.  Make your own discoveries, but do it before May 31st, when it all comes to an end.

Please note that the Pop-Up Gallery at 1122 W Argyle will be open for viewing next Wednesday, May 28th from 3:30-7:30pm.

Free Concert Tonight

Start the holiday weekend off on a cultured note.  Flautist Erin Murphy is featured in a recital at Peoples Music School.

Spectacular Meteor Shower Predicted Tonight

There's a new meteor shower in town, and the Tribune describes the Camelopardalids as a "once in a lifetime experience."  They should be visible starting around 10:30 into dawn, and for once the weather is cooperating.  The National Weather Service says, "EXPECT MAINLY CLEAR SKIES THIS PERIOD WHICH SHOULD ALLOW DECENT OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE CAMELOPARDALIDS METEOR SHOWER TONIGHT."

POTUS Arrives At Montrose Harbor

It all went just as the news articles said it would.  Air Force One touched down at O'Hare at 5:40pm, the President emerged at 5:48, and Marine One took off for the city a few minutes later.  Officially, the President's helicopter and its two escort aircraft arrived at Montrose Harbor at 6:13, but our many observers and readers clocked it at 6:10. (Think about that the next time it takes you an hour and a half on the Kennedy to get to the airport.)  Readers in the Buena Park area said it was very loud in their part of Uptown.

Marine One and its two escorts on approach

According to news reports, Mayor Emanuel and President Obama had an intense conversation for about five minutes in the boat parking lot at Montrose Harbor.  Then the Presidential motorcade got on the road, entering the Drive at Montrose and heading south. This is what it looked like:

And normal traffic resumes.

In case you're wondering what all the vehicles in a presidential motorcade are for, here's a graphic explaining them.  Spare a moment's thought for the people who live in Washington DC who deal with multiple motorcades as a fact of daily life.

Some news reports have the President leaving Chicago Friday morning, and some have him leaving in the afternoon.  We're sure, whenever it happens, it will be noticed.

Memorial Day Mass To Be Held At St. Boniface Cemetery On Monday

As always, St. Boniface Cemetery and the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago will have a field mass for those wishing to remember the men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country.

It takes place on Monday at 10:30am.  St. Boniface is located on the 4800 block of North Clark Street.

Rev. Msgr. Richard P. Hynes of the Archdiocese will be the celebrant.

Japanese Art Seminar At Buddhist Temple of Chicago This Saturday

• Saturday, May 24, 1:30-4:00pm
• Seminar: "Depiction of Women in Japanese Buddhist Art"
• Speaker: Dr. Gail Chin, University of Regina, Canada
• Free and open to the public (donations appreciated). 
• Light refreshments will be served during break times.
• The Buddhist Temple of Chicago is located at 1151 West Leland, at Racine.

The Latest On Obama's Trip To Chicago

A reader was at O'Hare Wednesday and saw the Osprey aircraft at rest, ready for Thursday

Ald. Cappleman just tweeted:  "No information on when the President will be arriving per Secret Service. LSD will only be closed for a short period of time after arrival."

NBC Chicago is saying that Air Force One is due to arrive at O'Hare at 5:50pm.  His first fundraiser was scheduled for 5pm on the Gold Coast and his second at 6:30pm in Lincoln Park.  Obviously those times have changed.

Our best guess -- if the 5:50pm arrival time is correct -- is that he will arrive at Montrose Harbor between 6 and 6:30pm (those times have nothing to do with any insider knowledge, just based on what happened when Marine One flew to Montrose Harbor from O'Hare in 2011).  Repeating:  That is a guess.

Not sure if the same protocols will be followed as were in 2011, but then there was quite an impressive motorcade.

President Obama will spend the night in Chicago and depart Friday.

We will update if/when we get more information.

Update:  Air Force One landed at O'Hare at 5:40.

No Gas For You, Uptown Theater!

A reader saw this notice on the Uptown Theater today.

Not really terrible news.  The Uptown needs natural gas for its new heating system installed this past winter, and that's about it.  Now that the weather's turned, it won't need heat for a few months.  It has no running water, so it doesn't need gas for hot water, or to run its non-existent stove or dryers.  Until it gets cold, the Uptown doesn't need natural gas at all, we reckon.

Still, just another indignity for the Grand Old Lady of Uptown.  When will she catch a break?  Will she ever get out of housing court?

Christopher House Open Enrollment For Kids 6 Weeks to 5 Years

click to enlarge

Christopher House has been a valued part of the Uptown community for nearly 20 years,  If you have children between six weeks and five years old, please consider enrolling them into this excellent program. Read more about it here.

Clarendon Park Area Dog Walkers, Beware

A reader sends this information:

"Wanted to alert you of something disturbing I saw last night before the heavy rains hit. Someone posted up a sign on several trees on Agatite between Hazel and Clarendon that someone had been spraying poison all over the grass. Signs said to carefully watch your dogs, ensuring they don't roll around in it, or eat the grass. As of this morning on my way to work, all the signs got washed away."

While it's entirely possible that the poisonous lawn treatment was washed away as well, better to be safe than sorry. Please watch your animals and keep them off the lawns -- not bad advice in any case, but particularly so on that stretch of Agatite.