Two Women Shot At Montrose Beach This Evening; Two Men Shot Near Wilson/Broadway In Separate Incident

Two women were shot tonight around 6:20 near Montrose Beach.  A reader tells us it happened on the bridge on Montrose just inside the park.  The police give the location as 4500 Simonds Drive.  Readers tell us that five shots were fired.  We don't have any idea if it was random or targeted.

A witness tells us that one woman was shot near the back of the neck and the other in the shoulder.

The beach has been closed.  Due to the large number of post-Parade revelers at the beach, the ambulance and police had a hard time getting through to the victims.

The Sun-Times has an article here.  And the Trib has a short article as well.  We will update as we hear more.

Update:  In a separate incident, readers report hearing 8 to 10 shots fired near Sunnyside and Broadway. A witness reports seeing a man trying to leave the scene shot in the leg.  Our suspicion is that the gangbangers may be using the cops' heavy presence in the southern end of the district to take advantage of the presumed lighter police presence here.  Lots of helicopters and sirens immediately on the scene.

Update:  We are hearing that the two women who were shot are in stable but serious condition.  They are ages 21 and 47.

Update:  A third incident?  We have an unconfirmed report that one person was shot at Wilson and Broadway.  Stay tuned, we're looking for confirmation.

Update:  Okay -- two incidents.  One shortly after 6pm at Montrose Beach, two females shot.  The second at around 8:15 on the 4500 block of Broadway.  Two men were shot, one in the upper leg.  The victim is 18 years old and the police say he is a confirmed gang member.  He brought himself to Weiss Hospital for treatment (presumably the man our eyewitness saw leaving the scene injured).  The other man suffered a graze wound and was treated at the scene.

The police are investigating and can't say yet if there was a connection between the two incidents.

Our advice:  Stay inside tonight, and if you see anything suspicious, call 911.

The Tribune story.  And the Sun-Times story.

Ready, Set, Pride!

So, Uptown's helping host a pretty big event on Sunday.  It's our third time, so it's getting to be old hat.  But some reminders from our previous post with many details, as well as some new information:

No Parking where the floats and groups queue up!  If you are parked on these streets between 5AM and 8PM on Sunday, you risk having your ride ticketed and towed.  Start looking Saturday for an alternate parking space if you normally park on:

• Montrose Ave. - Greenview Ave. to Hazel St.
• Broadway St. - Leland Ave. to Grace St.
• Sunnyside Ave. - Broadway to North Sheridan Road
• Clifton Ave. -  Montrose to Sunnyside

No Parking Zones

CTA Service will be affected!

• The Red Line trains will run approximately every five minutes between 9am and 7:30pm.
• Between 8am and 6:30pm, there will be reroutes of these bus lines: #8 Halsted, #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, #76 Diversey, #77 Belmont, #78 Montrose, #80 Irving Park, #151 Sheridan and #152 Addison.  Click here for details.

Want to march in the parade instead of watching from the sidelines?

• From Ald. Cappleman:  "If you would like to march with me this Sunday, June 29, please email Tressa Feher at tressa@james46.org. Those who march with us will get a 46th Ward T-shirt to wear as they march."
• From Ald. Osterman:  "Please join me in celebrating LGBT Pride along with many 48th Ward residents, fellow Chicagoans and visitors from around the USA, as we march in the 2014 Chicago Pride Parade this Sunday, June 29th. The parade begins at approximately 12:00 p.m.  Please arrive around 11:30 am. We will be lining up on Broadway between Montrose and Wilson.  Our number in the parade is #91. We will be marching with a car (not a float), so please be prepared to walk during the march.  Visit http://www.chicagopridecalendar.org/ for more information. Please email jacque@harryosterman.org to RSVP for the march, or if you have any questions or need more information."

Be Uptown Proud!  Visit www.uptownproud.org and look for flags that will be given out along the parade route.

List of Parade Entries:  All 205 of them.  The parade will take approximately 2.5 hours to move from the queuing areas to Montrose and Broadway.

Have fun, be proud, stay safe!

Positive Loitering Tonight, 7pm-8pm

Come stand with your neighbors and police officers for a safer Uptown.

from the Uptown Chicago Commission:

"Positive Loitering enters its fifth year in 2014, taking place in trouble spots in the 19th District on Friday evenings.  Tonight we will stand at the southeast corner of Wilson & Broadway, near the currency exchange.

Depending on the group's wishes, we may walk to another spot at 7:30, or we might stay at that location.  Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your dog!  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(s) every few minutes to lend support.

Note:  There will not be positive loitering next week due to Ribfest."

Stop, Thief!

It's nice out (finally), and folks who are up to no good are out with the sunshine and foliage.  There've been a lot of home invasions and attempted home invasions taking place during the day over the past couple months. So some reminders:

• NEVER let people you don't know into your building. They can roam the halls and use crowbars to get inside apartments, relatively unseen.  Don't give them that chance.
• If you see someone you think is suspicious hanging around your neighbor's door, ask him what he's doing. The last thing burglars want is nosy neighbors.
• Ask your neighbors who might be home during the day to keep an eye out.
• Keep your doors and windows locked.  If you have a home alarm, use it.
• Keep your bikes locked.
• CALL 911 if you are the victim of or see an attempted break-in.  The idea is not only to stop the bad guys from committing that particular crime, but to get them off the street and to prevent them from committing any future break-ins.  The cops need to know about crime patterns to stop them.

Just today, we heard from a reader on Beacon, where another multi-unit building has experienced at least three break-ins during daylight hours:

• "Reminder to keep doors and windows locked and get your landlord to fix broken locks etc. Today around 11am a man tried entering my apt. No knock, just tried the handle and pushed a few times. I was not dressed and did not open the door but I watched him through the peep try another door, then go downstairs. This is a multi-floor building with indoor hallway on 4500 block of Beacon. Keep an eye out, stay safe, and get those doors and windows fixed. It would be awesome if you could share."

And a few weeks ago:

• "Recently there has been a rash of random people that have been buzzed into our building.  I work from home and just now a person just tried to open my front door.  As soon as the person was aware, I was home, he knocked and said he was from "ComEd".  I only talked to him through the door and didn't get a chance to look at him.  I'm not sure if other people are experiencing this, but this is concerning."

Early Morning Fire On Marine Drive

Around 2:30am, there was a fire at 4900 North Marine in a brick condo building.  According to the CFD, "A STILL AND BOX ALARM AND EMS PLAN 1 FOR THE HIGH RISE FIRE AT 4900 N MARINE DRIVE ON THE ORDERS OF THE 9TH BATTALION."

Readers report a large response, up to 20 fire engines and EMS units responding.  It seems to have affected one unit on the third floor.

According to CBS News, two people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.  It was all over by 3:05am.

We wish the best for the residents who were injured and displaced.

#TBT - Death Comes To An Uptown Con Man

"Gertrude 'Billie' Murphy, 22, is brought in for questioning in the murder case of Michael Stopec,
who was shot and killed in an apartment hotel, circa July 1927. Murphy had been friends of the
married Stopec and his suspected killer Henry Guardino, 31. It is said that Stopec and Guardino
were 'bitter rivals for the favor of Billie and that Murphy had tired of Guardino and was going to stay
with Stopec. Murphy was also married to a man in the Joliet penitentiary." (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Harvey Foxton led a complicated life.  He used the pseudonym Michael Stopec, but rented his apartment under the name James Britt.  He was married, but was dating at least five women. At age 28, he already had a rap sheet for larceny and burglary, and was suspected of being a bootlegger.

His messy life came to a messy end in July 1927.  His body was found in his apartment in an Uptown residential hotel, kneeling in front of a divan and shot in the heart.  His neighbors said they heard the shot and saw a woman leaving the scene.  The breakfast table was still set for three people, but only two meals had been touched.

Police interviewed five women and four men, all of whom had good reasons for wanting Foxton dead. His wife was one of them.  So was his fiancée.  Yes, Foxton was scheduled to be married the week following the date of his murder, despite the fact he was already married.  There were also accusations that he was a broker of shady marriages, arranging for pals to marry recent widows who had received large life insurance policies.

Despite all the suspects, no one was ever charged with his murder.  The main suspect, one Robert Stanzley, was arrested in August 1927, but the grand jury and coroner couldn't find enough evidence to bring him to trial and he was released.

Whoever killed Foxton got away with it.  He lived, and died, in Room 330 of the apartment hotel known as the Morcelia Apartments, located at 4047 North Kenmore.  But don't worry about his spirit haunting anyone's corridors.  Like Foxton, the Morcelia Apartments are long gone and forgotten.

So You Want To See The Wizard?

If you weren't able to make it to Chase Park for the Fun Fair and showing of The Wizard of Oz, you'll have another chance.  Due to the threat of rain, Wednesday's festivities were postponed until Thursday, July 10th.  It all starts at 6:30pm.

Join "Proud To Run" This Saturday At Montrose Harbor

A part of Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Pride Week activities for 33 years, the 2014 Proud To Run (PTR) 5K & 10K race will take place on Saturday, June 28 in Chicago, at Montrose Harbor.

The Chicago event will include entertainment from the Chicago Spirit Brigade and the Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles. Speakers will include State Reps. Greg Harris and Kelly Cassidy, who were instrumental in passing marriage equality in Illinois. PTR is also excited to include The International Rainbow Memorial Run as part of this year’s race. PTR is a Chicago Area Runners Association and USA Track and Field certified event.

All of the money raised from this year’s race will benefit the About Face Theatre, Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), and The Night Ministry. Register or volunteer at www.proudtorun.org.

Grand Re-Opening Wednesday For Uptown Jewel-Osco

To celebrate its recent makeover, Jewel-Osco at 4355 N Broadway will be holding a Grand Reopening, starting at 8am Wednesday.  Details were sparse when we went on Monday, but a rehab is never a bad thing.  The last time it had a remodeling was when Target opened, and the arrival of Mariano's seems to have sparked this one.  Ah, competition, we love it.

Lakeview Patch has an article on the upgrades to expect.

Weiss Plaza Family Dollar To Close In August

Family Dollar at Lawrence & Sheridan

A reader writes in:
"Just got home from Family Dollar in Weiss Plaza and was told by one of the workers that this location would be closing in August and that all sales from here on out are final. Surprising since this location has only been open about 1.5 years."

Update: A reader on Facebook shared a Forbes article from April stating that Family Dollar is closing 370 stores across the country due to disappointing financial performance.

The Rockets' Red Glare

The Saddle & Cycle Club, at Foster and Marine, will be holding its annual fireworks display beginning at dusk on Friday, July 4th.  While only members of the club and their guests are allowed inside the gates, the fireworks can be seen in the Margate Park area for free, and we are extremely grateful to have tony neighbors like Saddle & Cycle.  If you've got friends in the surrounding high-rises, time to start asking them how they feel about guests that evening.

If you want to go south of Uptown, the Navy Pier fireworks show, usually seen only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will be held on Friday, July 4th at 9:30pm.

Another One Bites The Dust

A long-time Uptown business closed its doors this month:  Beck's Books, supplier of textbooks and school supplies for Truman College students, located for years at 4520 North Broadway.

Why?  Blame City Colleges of Chicago if you want to point fingers.

When it came time to extend Beck's contract with the city as textbook supplier, the city went with someone else.  So Beck's closed its brick-and-mortar stores servicing Truman College and Harold Washington College, although it maintains ebook sales through its website.

The CCC went instead with an online book vendor based in Connecticut called Akademos.

As the sign says, Beck's is still open at its other locations serving universities like Northwestern, NEIU and Loyola.

For us in Uptown, another empty storefront.  If you know anyone interested in renting the space, call 773-972-8241, the number of the McJunkin Building management.

Three Movies In The Park This Week

Summer park activities have begun in earnest, and we have three free outdoor movies scheduled this week.  Rain, rain, STAY AWAY.  Bring your chairs, blankets, snacks, family & friends!

• Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012).  Tuesday, June 24, @ Dusk.  Buttercup Park, Ainslie and Sheridan (PG-13, 94 minutes).  A six-year-old girl lives in an isolated bayou community and struggles to use her optimism and imagination to repair her world and save her sick father after a fierce storm changes her reality.
• Family Fun Fest & The Wizard of Oz.  Wednesday , June 25.  Family Fun Fest 6-8pm, movie begins at dusk (approximately 8:30-9pm).  Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland.  Back by popular demand, our Family Fun Fest will provide an evening of family-friendly free entertainment to community members. Join us before our FAMILY FUN FILM screening of "The Wizard of Oz" for a jazzy sing-a-long of the soundtrack performed by the Go2Girls.  Postponed until Thursday, July 10th - 6:30pm.
• Gypsy (1962).  Friday, June 27, 9pm.  Kathy Osterman Beach, 5800 N Sheridan.  Based on the Broadway hit about the life and times of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her aggressive stage mother, Mama Rose.  Starring Rosalind Russell, Natalie Wood, Karl Malden.

Pie Hole Uptown Closed, As Well As Boystown Location

So sad to hear from Doug, the owner of Pie Hole Pizza, that "The rumors are true, folks: the time came for us to shut our Pie Hole. Thanks for the memories and lessons."

You may have heard that Pie Hole Boystown was planning to close after the Pride Parade and all operations would move to the Uptown/Andersonville location.  But apparently the tax people had other plans.  This photo was taken last week and we've been awaiting word on what would happen. It's not the news we were hoping for.

Update:  From Doug Brandt on UU's Facebook page:  "Hey guys, Doug here from Pie Hole Pizza Joint... THANK YOU ALL for your love and support and understanding. (I'm writing this before any haters post in this thread.) I tried to run an honest business above the table, but with a very, very tight budget. In the end, the pressures, responsibilities, challenges, mechanical issues, burdens and regulations that come with owning two locations... it was all overwhelming and ultimately not possible to do. I fought till the end, trudging through the mud, trying to turn things around at the last minute, but it was too late. And I'm sorry for that. It ain't easy! But the love and support from you all and from Uptown Update is a blessing... Thank you again, so much."

Summer Storm In Uptown

Thanks to reader and frequent contributor Mark Vanderah, who took this photo tonight. "Fresh from the camera! Taken from Clarendon/Montrose, overlooking Montrose Harbor, just before the rain hit."  Click to enlarge for the full impact.

The Longest Day Of The Year

Lionel, the coolest cat at Montrose and Dayton, shows off his summer apparel.  And why not?  It's the summer solstice, the day with the most sunlight of the year.

Uptown is up to the task, with plenty happening to fill up those daylight hours:

• 11am-3pm, a Sidewalk Sale presented by the senior citizens at Ruth Shriman House, 4040 N Sheridan
• Noon-4pm, Sonic Summer Kickoff, where you can meet the "Two Guys" from the commercials
• 2pm-4pm, the inaugural Culture Jam at Buttercup Park, 4901 N Sheridan.  Culture Jams will take place every Saturday throughout the summer
• 3pm-4pm, Paper Machete at the Green Mill, always fun, always free.
• 5pm-6:30pm, a family-friendly version of Two Gentlemen of Verona, at Chase Park, 4701 N Ashland.  Free, bring your lawn chairs and blankets.
• 6:30pm -- Boston and the Doobie Brothers in concert at Montrose Harbor.
• 7pm -- Exegesis and Leper in concert at Wilson Abbey, 935 W Wilson.   Free; in Spanish and English.

Positive Loitering Tonight

Come stand with your neighbors and police officers for a safer Uptown.

from the Uptown Chicago Commission:

"Positive Loitering enters its fifth year in 2014, taking place in trouble spots in the 19th District on Friday evenings.  Tonight we will stand at the southeast corner of Wilson & Broadway, near the currency exchange, then may walk to another spot at 7:30, depending on the group consensus.  Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your dog!  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(s) every few minutes to lend support."

Buddhist Temple Presents Summer Festival This Sunday

A head’s up or rather a “Heads down!” –  the art of archery will be among the various demonstrations and exhibits of Japanese culture at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago’s Summer Festival this Sunday, June 22nd from 11am to 5pm.

The festival is free and open to the public, and food and craft items are available for sale. The temple is located at 1151 W. Leland (just north of Truman College).

(If you walk by on Leland, please wear an apple on your head to be part of the “William Tell” performance.)

Oh, What A Night

The Buena Park Neighbors Concert in the Park Thursday night may have been shortened by rain, but there was no lack of activities to enjoy.  Gene Tenner took photos of everything, which you are invited to view at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78559435%40N04/sets/72157645263335625/.

Gene says, "Despite the rain, I had multiple folks come up to me and thank me for doing this [the concert]. Although I had nothing to do with setting this up, it was heartening to see all the smiling faces, curious dogs and my neighbors enjoying a summer evening with music and friendly conversation."  Well done, BPN organizers!

Who You Gonna Call? Chase Park!

Tonight is our first local Movie in the Park. Bring your blankets, dinner, lawn chairs, and Park-District-approved beverages to Chase Park, 4701 N Ashland, at dusk (approximately 9pm) and settle in for a night of ectoplasm and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.  And remember, "When someone asks you if you’re a god, you say, ‘Yes!’"

The entire schedule of Movies in the Park can be viewed at the sidebar at the right, under Uptown Summer Events, and on the calendar of events, further down the sidebar.

Free Concert At Wilson Abbey This Saturday

Columbian heavy metal group Exegesis will perform in Spanish and English this Saturday, June 21, at Wilson Abbey.  Doors open at 6:30, and the concert will begin at 7pm.  The opening group is Leper.

For more about Exegesis, visit its website at http://www.exegesismetal.com/exegesis.html.

#TBT -- The Uptown Broadway Building

For Throwback Thursday, a look at the Uptown Broadway Building in August 2006, as its long restoration was underway.  The building had been a beauty when it was opened in 1926, but neglect and the neighborhood's decline took their toll.  Thaddeus Wong of @ Properties bought it in 2004 and began the long process of rehabbing it.  (Click on the photos above for larger, more detailed versions.)

At the time these photos was taken, about halfway through the renovation process, the ground floor had been completely gutted.  The gangs that used the building as a drug sales headquarters had been evicted.  The godforsaken glass brick windows had been removed, but the classic Chicago-style windows hadn't yet been installed.

There were still graffiti tags on the top floor, there were weeds growing out of the terra cotta balconies, and some of the decorative urns at the top of the building were missing (the original molds were later found in the basement).  But it was finally getting the TLC it had needed for years.

Due to the advanced deterioration of the building (you can read an article about how bad it was here), the projected finish date of Spring 2006 didn't happen.  Instead, the building was ready in Spring of 2008.  We'll say it again:  Thank you, Mr. Wong, for falling in love with this building and renovating it. Thanks for giving it back to Uptown.

The Argyle Art Wall Takes Shape

Update:  Reader Rick B. went by Thursday and says,
"I snapped a pic of 2 of the artisans at work this afternoon."

The Argyle Art Wall is being installed!  It's been in the works for just over a year and now we're seeing it happen.  The goal is to have it done by the time the first Argyle Night Market is held (July 10th), so now is the time to see it become a reality.

• Last spring, three community workshops were held to get input about what should be included in the mural, which is located on Broadway just steps north of Argyle, on the otherwise undistinguished wall of a convenience store.  (Thanks to Lucky Quick Pick for letting its property be used for the mural.)
• During last summer's Argyle Night Market, visitors were invited to create flowers for inclusion on the wall.
• This week, it got started.  Uptown artist Ginny Sykes is overseeing the project, which will symbolize the various cultures represented on Argyle Street.  Uptown United, PNC Bank, and LISC-Chicago are all sponsors of the art wall.

So what will it look like when it's done?  A sketch on the Facebook page dedicated to the mural provides a strong hint:

design by Ginny Sykes, on the Argyle-Broadway Mural Project's Facebook page

To follow the mural's progress on Facebook, visit Argyle-Broadway Mural Project.

Right Before The Storm

A dramatic photo of Uptown around 10:45am, right before the storms hit. Thank you to Bob Skutnick for sharing it.

"Bard in the Parks" Presents Two Gentlemen of Verona Saturday/Sunday

Spectralia Theatre presents
The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Saturday and Sunday,
June 21st & 22nd
at 5:00pm
Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland 

Spectralia Theatre's Bard in the Parks program returns to Chase Park in June with The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Set during the Yukon Gold Rush, this family-friendly, 90-minute version of The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a great introduction to Shakespeare as well as a new take on a classic comedy.

Patrons are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and/or chairs to this outdoor production. All performances start at 5:00 and are FREE.

For more information, visit www.spectralia.org.

When The 4800 Block Of Winthrop Was "Honeymoon Row"

click to enlarge

A reader sent in this gem of an article from the Chicago Tribune from January 18, 1903, when all of Uptown was known as "Buena Park" (the name "Uptown" came about in 1915, when the owner of the Loren Miller store, located in the former Borders building, invented it to promote his business).

The article talks about Honeymoon Row, the 11 new residences lining the east side of Winthrop between Lawrence and Ainslie, all occupied by newly married couples, and well-known among the locals, including the firefighters and the drivers of merchants' delivery carts.

A lot has changed on that block in the past 111 years.  Only a few of the original homes comprising "Honeymoon Row" remain, but there are many new residences on the street, replacing empty lots that were there for several decades.  While we doubt it will ever again be known as Honeymoon Row ("Where all the women are newly wed brides"), it's fascinating to see history's cycle happen all over again.

Some excerpts from the article are below.  You can download the graphic above to read the entire article.

"Do you know where Honeymoon Row, Chicago, is?

It is expected that 1,990,000 residents of Chicago do not, but about 10,000 others in the neighborhood at Buena Park, on the north shore, will have it down fine enough to point it out in the dark of the moon, even while the row is newer than some of the marriage certificates in the street. 

Honeymoon Row, specifically, lies on the east side of Winthrop Avenue, between Lawrence and Ainslie avenues.  It consists of ten six-flat buildings, three stories in height, and having from five to seven rooms in a flat.

Honeymoon Row is the result of a real estate boom.  Still it may have been based to a considerable extent in the local antics of a Cupid.  Anyhow, it is there, with steam heat, janitor service, and the modern inconveniences of having all packages delivered at the rear.  It lines up in an almost unbroken wall, three stories high, ranging in color schemes from light yellow through gray, drab, brown, umber and red.

In its intangible atmosphere as felt from the outside, Honeymoon Row is distinctive.  From the walls that rise sheer about twenty feet inside of the curb line, the plots of green, marked by the cement walks, are remarkable for their lack of animation. Here and there a collie or fox terrier may look out between two buildings with a faraway expression on his face.  A grocer's wagon may stop in front and a bustling boy dart from it to the rear of a brown or red or yellow or drab or gray building that is absolutely expressionless in its quiet front of brick or stone.

For two or three years yet, Honeymoon Row promises to be a quiet avenue for the pedestrian and driver who may be in fear of children on such winter days as snow "packs" readily to the schoolboy hand.  In some of the buildings, however, it may be that as time goes on some of the agencies will find tenants who are now eligible have outgrown the terms of the leases with reference to children in the family.

In such an event, will it be possible to keep Honeymoon Row intact?  Is it to be lost to the map of Buena Park?"

Buena Parkers, How Do You Feel About A Hookah Lounge?

If you live or have a business in Buena Park, Buena Park Neighbors and Ald. Capplement would like to hear your opinions next Monday:

"Meeting For Hookah Lounge Proposal.  Alderman Cappleman is asking for input from Buena Park residents with regards to a proposed Hookah Lounge at 4101 N. Broadway.

A meeting will be held Monday.  The potential owner will be there to present his ideas and get our feedback.

Meeting:   Monday, June 23rd, 7pm
Place:  4101 N. Broadway (across from Michael's Pizza)"

Register You (And Your Pooch?) To Run For PAWS On Saturday

The people at PAWS Animal Shelter asked us to pass this along:

It's your last chance to sign up to register for the PAWS Chicago's Zoetis Run for Their Lives on Saturday, June 21st, at Montrose Harbor.

Live at the event, we are attempting to break the current record for "The Most Dogs in Costumed Attire" and raise more money through fundraising that we ever have before!

The annual event promises a morning of fun with food, beverages, activities and live entertainment for the entire family. You don't want to miss out on being part of this event that will make history and help homeless pets at the same time!

4027 N. Broadway Rendering Reveal

Studio Dwell's design for 4027 N. Broadway (via SpyGuy at Skyscraperpage Forum)

If you've wanted a better rendering of what to expect from Akara Partners' plan for a 20 unit apartment building at 4027 N. Broadway, you are in luck. Buena Park Neighbors has requested that Akara add ground level retail so that is the big thing missing from this preliminary rendering. Thoughts?

Broadway Streetscape Meeting Tuesday Night

Broadway looking north, from Leland (courtesy Google Streetview)

From Ald. Cappleman's latest newsletter:

"More economic development in the 46th Ward means more employment opportunities for residents, and it keeps residents in the neighborhood to shop, making our community stronger. To expand economic opportunities for residents and business owners in the ward, it is necessary to make our commercial areas more vibrant.

As you know, I have been working with you and the Chicago Department of Transportation on a plan to renovate the Broadway commercial corridor between Wilson and Lawrence. Last month, we had a public meeting where you gave your input, including the values for this area that you want to uphold as this major work is underway.

The Chicago Dept. of Transportation has been hard at work with changes to the plan based on your feedback. Next Tuesday is your opportunity to see some of the surprises that they have come up with and for you to give additional feedback. Click here to view the materials that were shared at last month's meeting.

When: Tuesday, June 17 from 6pm - 8pm
Where: Former Border's Building, 4718 N. Broadway"

Cricket Hill Construction Continues

Reader KT sent in this photo of work happening at Cricket Hill at the new sports facilities being built there.  He says, "Adding two paths off Wilson and running path to new area." Completion date is said to be in late July.

Ribfest Musical Lineup Released, Beer Tent Volunteers Sought

The Windy City Ribfest takes place in Uptown for the fifth consecutive year, on July 4th, 5th and 6th. As usual, the 4700 block of Broadway will be filled with booths, ribbers, a craft beer tent, a kids play area, and the main entertainment stage.  All this for a $5 daily suggested donation, which goes primarily to Uptown United.

The Chamber is looking for volunteers to work at the new craft beer tent.  Shifts are four hours in length.  Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt.  Email keith@uptownbusinesspartners.com to sign up or request more information.

The musical acts on the main stage will be:

Friday 

• 5:30pm - Cat Fight (2 sets!)
• 8:30pm - Who's Bad (Michael Jackson Tribute) 

Saturday

• 12:15pm - Hello Weekend
• 2:00pm - Suénalo
• 4:15pm - JT Hodges
• 6:15pm - Jamie Lono & Noble Heart
• 8:30pm - Cowboy Mouth

Sunday

• 12:15pm - The Rave
• 2:00pm - Crush on Radio
• 3:30pm - Vintage Blue
• 5:00pm - Sgt. Popgrass
• 6:30pm - People's Choice 'Best Ribs" Winner Announced! 
• 6:45pm - Trippin Billies

You can learn more about the fest, including parking, sponsors, participating ribbers, and vendor information, here.

Stop, Thief!

With the nice weather, out come the predators.  A reader tells us there've been bikes stolen from decks and porches in his area of Buena Park.  His email is below.  We've said it before, but it bears repeating:

• Don't leave anything of value on your porch or deck without securing it.  Bikes, grills, whatever. Buy some chain and a padlock.
• If you see any suspicious activity, call 911 and let them know.
• If you are the victim of a theft, tell the cops, even if it's after the fact.  They can't stop crimes they're not told about. They can't see a pattern of thefts if no one reports them.
• If you have a bike, register it with the cops. You can do it online, and if it's recovered, they'll know who to get it back to.

The email from a reader:

"I live on Kenmore between Irving Park and Buena and there have been reports of bike thefts from people who use the alley between Kenmore and N Sheridan as their route.

This time last year I came home on my work bike to find my 3rd floor back porch door had been broken into. It's private and locks and I had a bike stolen.

Yesterday I came home from work and my landlady asked me to check on my bikes because she caught a couple of young men kicking in doors and stealing bicycles during business hours. 

I asked her for something I could pass along and this is what she sent to me.

'At 5pm on a Tuesday, June 3rd, two males (early 20s, Latino) rode up on bikes in the alley.  They were checking out a bike that was on the 1st floor porch of our building.  When they saw me, they left, but kept coming back every 30 minutes or so to see if I was gone.  Later I saw them riding away, and one had another bike by his side that he was rolling away.

The next Tuesday, they came back and ended up removing a wood rail on the porch to get to the bike they wanted.  This is what they looked like:  one had light skin and long wavy black hair in a ponytail. He was about 5'6" and slim and had a very aggressive walk.  The other had darker skin, dark hair in a Afro, and and was slim, about 5'5".  He stayed in the back and talked on a cell phone, like he was the lookout.'"

Pride Parade Primer

In just a couple weeks, Uptown will provide the starting point of the Pride Parade for the third consecutive year. Not a lot has changed from the past two years; we're good at it by now.  Ald. Tunney posted about the particulars of the parade in his latest newsletter, so we've excerpted the Uptown-specific info below.

"Date: Sunday, June 29, 2014
Time: Noon
Begins At: Broadway & Montrose

LINE UP (Staging Areas): 

• North Broadway (both the east and the west curb lanes, from Montrose to Wilson)
• West Montrose (both the north and south curb lanes from Broadway to Clark); 
• Sunnyside Ave from Broadway to North Sheridan Road.

PARADE ROUTE: The parade begins at 12:00pm on the corner of Broadway/Montrose,  proceeding south on Broadway; then south on Halsted; then east on Belmont; then south on Broadway; then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive.

CROSS STREETS: Cross streets will experience rolling closures as the parade travels south down the route.  After stepping off at 12:00 PM, the parade will take approximately two and one-half hours to finish crossing the Broadway/Montrose corner.

PEDESTRIAN CROSS-OVER STREETS:  Six, including Montrose and Irving Park.  At each corner of the streets listed above there will be four police officers assigned to assist pedestrians to cross the parade route.

NO PARKING: Both the Assembly Area and Parade Route (listed above) will be posted with temporary signs indicating "NO PARKING ON SUNDAY JUNE 29, 2014 FROM 5:00 AM TO 8:00 PM. - Both sides of the street."

• Montrose Ave.- Greenview Ave. to Hazel St.
• Broadway St.- Leland Ave. to Grace St.
• Sunnyside Ave. - Broadway to North Sheridan Road
• Clifton Ave. -  Montrose to Sunnyside

ADDITIONAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS: There will be additional parking restrictions on Sunnyside Ave between Broadway and North Sheridan Road.

TOWING: Begins at 5:00 AM. Due to the volume of vehicles involved, the issuing of parking violation citations and towing will start at 5AM - Promptly.

NEEDS AND SPECIAL NEEDS:

1. Portable Restrooms are stationed along both the parade line-up street and the parade route. Included at several locations are restrooms for the physically challenged.
2. Physically Challenged Area/Wheel chair Accessible Area/Seniors - for people who need or want more space: the sidewalks of West Diversey Parkway (near 600 W. Diversey). Traditionally this area of the parade route has fewer spectators than other sections of the parade route. Spectators in these areas generally arrive there early on parade morning to secure their viewing spots. Included there are restrooms for the physically challenged.
3. Seniors (outdoor) - The area mentioned above in #2 (600 W. Diversey sidewalks) is a designated OUTDOOR area for seniors. Spectators in this area generally arrive there early on parade morning to secure their viewing spots. Included there are restrooms for the physically challenged.
4. Cooling Buses - Halsted between Belmont & Clark; Irving between Clark and Broadway; Addison in front of the 19th District police station; Broadway at Belmont
5. Clean and Sober individuals/groups:  the area at 600 W. Diversey (for the physically challenged and seniors), is also a place for people who want to watch the parade in an area away from bars and other liquor establishments. Spectators should arrive early on parade morning to secure their viewing spot

Alcohol consumption WILL NOT be tolerated under any circumstances. Open containers containing alcohol are illegal on the streets and sidewalks in Chicago.  The ordinance was updated last year with higher fines and penalties for drinking on parade routes and you will be subject to receiving a $1,000 ticket and/or arrest from the Chicago Police Department.

For more information, please visit: http://www.chicagopridecalendar.org/Parade.html."

"This Summer I Went Swimming"

The Park District is opening up its swimming pools for the season on Friday.  The first ten days (June 13-22) will mostly be open swims, with the regular schedule going into effect on June 23rd. To check out the hours and pools in and around Uptown, click on each link below:

• Chase Park (pictured), 4701 N Ashland:  Schedule
• Gill Park (indoor pool), 825 W Sheridan:  Schedule (currently closed for maintenance)
• Uplift High School, 900 W Wilson: Schedule
• Welles Park (indoor pool), 2333 W Sunnyside: Schedule

Feel like going to the beach instead?  Check the conditions here first.  The website shows the air temperature, water temperature, and water quality for each beach.

* Why should we be the only ones humming this?  The Summer Song, by Loudon Wainwright III

2014 Wavefront Music Festival Postponed

It's official, there will be no Wavefront Music Festival this year, not in Uptown nor on the South Side, where organizers said the festival would be moving in 2014.

In an email message today, the promoters said:  "In response to the countless inquiries we've received over the past year, we regret to announce that Wavefront Music Festival has been postponed until 2015. As always, THANK YOU for your endless support and positive vibes. We WILL be back - until then hang tight and enjoy the rest of the events this summer in our amazing city of Chicago."

We'd love to see Wavefront return if the promoters and the community can come up with a good working relationship.  In the interim, the organizers suggest fans take in Lolla, RiverWest, Pitchfork and Riotfest.  And you'll always have YouTube memories as well....