Maryville Vote Took Place Tonight, Results Tomorrow

Tonight was the Zoning and Development Committee meeting for the 46th Ward to discuss the proposed Maryville development plans.  Ald. Cappleman tweeted at 9:40pm:

"Thanks to all who attended tonight's Zoning mtg to discuss the Clarendon/ Montrose development. Committee made decision to vote tonight.

Results of vote including how each organization voted will be communicated tomorrow."

"Mexican Food, Opening Soon"

The former site of Pecking Order at 4416 N Clark has signs in the window that say "MEXICAN FOOD, OPENING SOON." We weren't able to find any business licenses or building permits for this address, so that's all we've got. If you know more, please put it in the comments.

No Positive Loitering Tonight

The positive loiterers are taking the evening off tonight due to the holiday weekend.

Depending on the weather, they may be back next Friday. Thank you to all who have participated.

Don't Let The Turkeys Get You Down

Courtenay School Clothing & Toy Drive Underway

From Friends of the 46th Ward Schools:

"Courtenay Elementary is kicking off their fourth annual Clothing and Toy Drive. They are collecting:

• gently used toys (with all pieces attached) for children ages pre-K to 8th grade
• clothing (adult and children's sizes), and 
• basic needs like socks, underwear (new only), mittens, and hats. 
• In addition, their boys mentoring program is looking to collect 400 pairs of NEW socks to donate to Courtenay's local shelter.

Donations should be delivered to Courtenay School at 4420 North Beacon. Please mark donations with "Naomi Bailey" to ensure they are properly delivered. You can contact Naomi Bailey (nebailey@cps.edu or 847-409-1514) with any questions, including requests for tax receipts."

In a note, Naomi said, "I decided to do this four years ago as a means of helping people get 'out with the old and in with the new' just before the holidays hit. I gathered toys and clothing an invited families in need the ability to go 'free' holiday shopping the week before winter break. My decision to do it annually was reinforced when, during the first year's drive, a mother who participated in the 'free' Christmas shopping burst into tears and said, 'My baby is finally going to have a Christmas, my baby is FINALLY going to have a Christmas.' This was powerful and moving and alerted me to the need to support people who don't quite have both feet on the ground. Courtenay student body serves a high percentage of families that are homeless. This said, the need to support families at a time like this becomes increasingly evident."

Jay Michael's Cancer Journey, Part V

Photo by Melissa Salvatore for Splash/Sun-Times, taken yesterday.

We've been following Jay Michael's series in the Sun-Times documenting his fight against Stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In Part V, which just came out today, Jay tells of the roller coaster of cancer, and how he went from being in remission to having a severe relapse and "small brain surgery" within a matter of days.

Cancer is a rough road, as anyone who has been through it or helped a loved one navigate their way through it, can attest. Jay and everyone fighting this nasty, soul-sucking battle is in our thoughts and prayers. You can read the entire article here. An excerpt:

Joy is very hard to come by and when I find it I hold it tight, especially these days. What was even more valuable was that this little spark of joy reminded me why I was here in the first place. God gave me a very robust challenge but things had gotten so hard for me I’d lost sight of the fact that I wanted nothing more than to live and for a few moments I forgot about how much I truly had to live for. So the fight will continue.

4635 Broadway Begins Its Renovation

Thank you to reader BR, who noticed that 4635-4641 North Broadway has scaffolding up and a dumpster in front, so presumably construction is beginning on the rehab of the building's residential and retail spaces. This takes place more than two years after Mike Krueger of Lakepointe Properties presented his plan for the building. Lakepointe is the developer of the building at Broadway and Clifton where 42 grams and Spoil Me Salon and Spa are located, and recently began work rehabbing the residential floors of the Bank of America building at Lawrence and Broadway.

This building has had a sad recent history. It was owned by a notorious slumlord until 2012, when it went into foreclosure. During that time, the City placed it on the Drug & Gang Building list and it was in Housing Court. In 2011, it was the site of an armed fugitive barricade situation that brought the SWAT team out and necessitated the closure of the Red Line. Let's hope this rehab brings happier days to the 1905 building. We are eager to see what happens.

Uptown United's Having A Party (But You Need To RSVP)

From Uptown United:

"Greetings! Join Uptown United, Business Partners - the Chamber for Uptown, and Bridgeview Bank in celebrating the holiday season, as well as our organizations' many accomplishments this year.

Enjoy complementary food & libation and great company!

This year's party will be a special send-off for Associate Director/SSA Administrator Wally Rozak. Join us in celebrating and recognizing Wally's dedication and service to Uptown. The speaking program will begin around 6:00pm.

Please bring a canned good (or a few!) to contribute to our collection box.

This is a free event. Please register in order for us to have a head count.

We hope to see you there!"

December 8th Buena Park Meeting Will Include Vote on 931-933 Belle Plaine Proposal

The next General Meeting of Buena Park Neighbors will be held on Tuesday, December 8th. Please note the location (Brennemann School, 4251 Clarendon) and earlier start time (6pm).

This is an opportunity to meet new neighbors and talk about neighborhood issues and businesses. The agenda is:

• 6pm - Holiday Cheer - Join us to meet neighbors and mingle.
• 6:30pm - Meeting Begins

• Representatives from Brennemann School will welcome us and introduce the school's toy drive. Please bring a toy to share for a child between 3-14 years old.

• Buena Park Neighbors - President Lisa von Drehle will update us on the neighborhood and Membership Drive.

• Lakeview Pantry Introduction - Please bring warm hats, coats and gloves to donate for its clients.

• Chicago Police Department CAPS Liaison Jason Clark - Sgt. Clark will update us on safety and take your questions.

• Alderman Cappleman - The Alderman will update us on the state of the ward and answer questions.

• 931-933 Belle Plaine - Mike Chioros will present a revised plan for a proposed new building at 931-933 Belle Plaine, which will be followed by a vote.

Buena Park Neighbors is a 46th Ward neighborhood association of more than 200 residents, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in the nationally registered Buena Park Historic District. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in Buena Park.

Crew Open Thanksgiving Evening For Football

Whether you'll have had enough of those people with whom you share DNA, or if you're looking for a little company to watch the Bears take on their arch-rivals the Packers,

Crew Bar + Grill (4804 North Broadway) will open at 6pm on Thanksgiving for football, beer, and Bears. "Snag a turkey burger with sweet potato fries and cranberry barbecue sauce, a sweet slice of pumpkin pie and a draft beer for $20."  Kickoff is at 7:30pm.

Metropolitan Planning Council Is Proud Of What Stewart School Workshops Accomplished

The Metropolitan Planning Council, which led the community input process regarding re-use of Stewart School, today sent this email to participants in the 2014 workshops:

"Metropolitan Planning Council is happy to announce that Chicago Public Schools has chosen a proposal from Morningside Group that takes into account the Uptown community's input while generating the highest bid. These recommendations included:

• Converting the Stewart School building into residential units with enhanced community amenities and public spaces on the western plaza
• Adding retail, café or restaurant space on the ground floor
• Constructing a building on the former parking lot to provide additional rental housing with affordable units

Read more about the process and the proposal for Stewart School.

Thank you for being part of this process and helping shape the future of Stewart School and Uptown. Metropolitan Planning Council thanks Ald. Cappleman and his staff for their leadership and follow-through."

A little link-digging led us to a copy of the Decision made by the Board of Education, which includes that the conclusions drawn from the community input process are required to be part of the deed to the school property.

The City or [Public Building Commission], as necessary, shall include a restrictive covenant in the deed stating that the property must be used as a mixed-use development incorporating all of the following: (1) residential units; (2) retail and/or restaurant space; (3) a community plaza or town square; and (4) one or more of the following community programs: community gardens, dedicated space for a farmers market, community theater space, youth educational or recreational programming or job training. The deed for the Property will include this restriction. Title to the property will revert back to the City of Chicago ... if this restriction is breached without the prior written consent of the Board's Chief Operating Officer.

Good work, all!  You can see the CPS Decision here, and the UU's previous stories about the MDC process and the sale of the school building here.

"Jazz Night In America" Meets Sabertooth, Uptown's Longest-Running Show

NPR visited the legendary Green Mill Jazz Club, and spilled the beans on one of Uptown's best experiences: the midnight shows by Sabertooth on Saturdays.  They start at the same time each week, but the show could go until 4am, it could go until dawn. Sabertooth is a group of studio musicians who've been showing up for 23 years, and there's usually a guest musician who's playing another gig in town who joins them. Cheap cover charge, and always a great evening for those who enjoy jazz and the nightlife.

For a video of the performance, and a tour of the Green Mill's legendary tunnels, click here.

If you're having a problem seeing the video or hearing the radio report, check it out on the NPR page Jazz Night In America, here.

Oops, It Did It Again

The reader who sent these photos in says, "Lawrence Red Line ate a tractor trailer for breakfast. Apparently they are very high in fiber. This happened around 7 this morning and impeded traffic up and down Lawrence."  Gotta feel for the driver, who absolutely didn't intend to start the week this way.

Drink Up and Raise Funds For School Supplies At Fat Cat

From the event page:  "Please join Friends of the 46th Ward Schools for a fundraiser in support of 46th Ward students at Brennemann, Courtenay, Disney, Greeley, McCutcheon, and Uplift. Win raffle prizes and make a donation to Friends of the 46th Ward schools. Proceeds will be used to purchase needed supplies for 46th Ward schools."

Don't forget that Fot46WS is also collecting hats and mittens for school kids. It's cold out there!

Rock On... First Ascent Climbing Gym Holds Grand Opening Celebration On December 12

Soon to open on the second floor of the former Border's building, they've been at work transforming a bookstore into a center for boulder climbing, yoga and fitness.  Check out the website explaining more about what they do, and how you can be part of it.

According to the Facebook Grand Opening page, most of the Grand Opening events will take place at the Avondale location, near Elston and Kedzie.  There will be climbing there, as well as food trucks, ziplining, and face painting.  The Uptown event will take place Saturday evening, December 12:

SATURDAY 9 pm - Midnight @ FA: Uptown.  Grand Opening Celebration at First Ascent Climbing: Uptown. Come enjoy food, friends, and music in our brand new space. (No climbing during this time - get your climbs in during the day!)

You can check out the whole schedule here, both locations. Above is a peek at what the Uptown location will look like.  More photos are its Facebook page.

Save The Date: Winter Walk On Wilson & Christmas Tree Lighting

Visit any of these local businesses between 5pm - 7pm on Friday, December 4!

Live Music, Sweet Treats, Santa and more!

• Everybody's Coffee - 935 W. Wilson
• Palla's Grill - 4570 N. Broadway
• Aardvark Insurance - 1228 W. Wilson
• Baker & Nosh - 1303 W. Wilson
• Public Barber - 1319 W. Wilson
• Heritage Outpost - 1325 W. Wilson

Be sure to stop by BAKER & NOSH for the tree-lighting ceremony at 7pm.  

Featuring performances by:

• Irish Music School of Chicago
• Uplift Community High School Band
• The Chicago Artist's Chorale

Visit ExploreUptown.org for more info!

Story Time For the Kids, Today At 4pm

First Snowfall

A night view of Clarendon and Sheridan from Friday. 

Thank to to reader Claire for sending it in.

"Snow was falling,

so much like stars

filling the dark trees

that one could easily imagine

its reason for being was nothing more

than prettiness.” 

― Mary Oliver

Foster/Sheridan Building Sells For $21.6 Million

More big investment in the area. The Kopley Group has sold its building at 5200 North Sheridan, on the Uptown/Edgewater border, for $21.6 million. It was sold to Spirit Bascom Ventures, LLC, which says in the press release that it intends "to reposition the asset with a full rehab and renovation program including unit renovation, additional resident amenities and establishing retail tenancy."

The building, which dates back to 1924 and started life as an apartment hotel, has 233 units, mostly studios and one-bedrooms. There is also approximately 9,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.

Commercial real estate broker KIG CRE handled the transaction.

Well-Loved Papa Ray's Manager Ends His Life; What You Can Do

We got a heart-breaking note from the owner of Papa Ray's entitled "Papa Ray's has a heavy heart." Please read it and please remember that there is help out there. And if you can spare a couple bucks to help out Wilvy's family in this terrible time, that would be greatly appreciated, too.

"Wilvy Ramos, the very first employee at the Uptown location, has ended the struggle with his depression and sadness. Wilvy decided to end his life just this past Saturday. We here at Papa Ray's couldn't be more heartbroken. You can tell something isn't right when you walk thru the door. We loved him very much. He was employed with us for the last 5 years.

I'm writing to tell you this info two reasons.

• Wilvy was loved very much by so many here in Uptown and by so many of our customers. We would actually tease him about having "fans" like a rock-star. The ones we have told have expressed their desires to help raise money and show support for his family. Wilvy was the breadwinner in his family, leaving behind his wife, mother and sister. So please send any donations to https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/yssb/the-wilvy-ramos-memorial-fund or go to www.giveitforward.com and search for The-Wilvy-Ramos-Memorial-Fund

Please give what you can. If you ever met Wilvy, odds are he made you laugh. His family really needs the help of his neighbors and friends.

• The second reason I am writing is because this is a very serious issue. 

• Please, tell those that you love that you do in fact love them. Tell them everyday.
• Nobody should have to live secretly in pain. Please reach out if you are struggling with depression. 
• Please, if suicide is ever the answer for you, please give someone you love the opportunity to change your mind. 
• If not someone you love, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 
• If all else fails, come on in to Papa Ray's and ask for me the owner, Matt. I will lend you my ear and help you try to find a solution. There is always a better way, always. We will find it together.

Thank You,

Matt Villareal, Owner
Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings
4757 N. Sheridan Rd."

May you have finally found peace, Wilvy Ramos.

Santa's On The Red Line Saturday

Too cool! The CTA's Holiday Train is making an early run along the Red Line on Saturday evening! We'll print the schedule below, but don't worry if you miss it. It'll be back along the Red and Purple Lines on December 15th through 22nd.

Saturday, November 21:

• Southbound: Argyle 4:57, Lawrence 4:59, Wilson 5:00, and Sheridan 5:02
• Northbound: Sheridan 7:23, Wilson 7:25, Lawrence 7:26, and Argyle 7:28

The entire day's schedule is here.

Snow To Fall Friday Night and Saturday

We really hate to have to post this, but according to all reports, we're getting several inches of snow tonight, up to 10 inches in parts of the city and 'burbs. The Chicago Weather Center says that Uptown and other lakefront communities may avoid the worst of it, though. "Amounts could vary from 6-inches or more to 2 to 4-inches in the Loop and along the immediate lakefront."

So here's the annual drill:

• The sidewalk in front of your place must be shoveled in a decent amount of time. Even if you're a tenant, not the owner. City says it's getting strict this year and issuing big-money tickets to repeat offenders. (With the number of elderly and disabled people living in Uptown, it's the decent thing to do, even without the threat of being fined.) You can report non-compliant residences and businesses to 311.
• You can track in real time whether or not your street's been plowed, and when. by using ClearStreets, which uses data from the city's Plow Tracker program.
• A grim but informative article: Shovel Snow Without Having a Heart Attack.
• While the weekend will be cold, it's supposed to be in the 40s and 50s next week.

The End of an Era: Shake Rattle & Read Gives Notice Of Ric's Retirement

If you haven't been to Shake Rattle & Read, right next to the Uptown Theater, you need to get over there. No, really, you need to get over there.  Ric Addy announced on the store's Facebook page yesterday that he will be retiring next year and this piece of iconic Uptown will be closing after 60 years, probably mid-summer 2016.

“It’s time,” Ric said. “At age 64, and after 30 years in the same location, I’m looking for new adventures. I need to take time to go see the rest of the world and be with my family and friends in Michigan and Florida. I’ll miss all of my friends in Chicago, but I won’t miss the winters.”

Unfortunately, you can't catch him today, as there's a follow-up note saying he's been admitted to the hospital for an emergency procedure, but you can leave him a note. The store is still open, as it always is, noon to 6pm.

From playing with his band, the Pogo Ponies; to holding court and telling great stories; to having deeply discounted annual sales; to sponsoring bands in the store; to being on the board of Business Partners/The Chamber for Uptown; to Shake Rattle & Read's always interesting window displays, Ric is an Uptown legend and it's really hard to imagine how it will be without him.

But he's given the store and this community his life and deserves some warm winters, some travel, and some relaxation. Here's to Ric and a helluva victory lap. Let's let him know how much his presence is and has been appreciated.

Renderings Released Of Pensacola Place Proposal

Brininstool + Lynch (h/t to Curbed Chicago)

Curbed Chicago has a complete rundown of the plans to build townhomes on top of the Jewel and World Gym at Broadway and Montrose and update the exterior of the development. The proposal goes before the Chicago Plan Commission today and if approved, construction could begin as early as next spring. Read more at Curbed...

#TBT -- Uptown Funk Goes Retro

Inspired Cards For The Holidays Help Support Local Non-Profit

With snow in the forecast, and FM stations already playing 24/7 Christmas music, many readers are already thinking about sending holiday greetings. As in years past, we hope you consider getting your cards from one of Uptown's best-regarded non-profit organizations, Inspiration Corporation, which provides services for individuals and families dealing with homelessness and poverty.

While Inspiration offer services all over the city, it was founded in Uptown and maintains its main office and wonderful restaurant, Inspiration Kitchens, here.  It sells holiday cards every year to support its fine programs, each year featuring a new cool design and success stories from its clientèle.

This year's design is featured above, and this is what they have to say about the cards:

"Inspiration Corporation is selling our custom-designed, annual holiday cards again! Purchase a pack today and share an inspirational story with your friends and family for the holidays.

These cards are the new design for 2015 by local artist Amber Favorite of a.favorite design. 100% of the proceeds support Inspiration Corporation’s programs.

A pack of 10 cards is only $15!

Cards are blank on the inside and feature one of three success stories from a participant on the back.

Cards can be purchased here: https://fs25.formsite.com/Inspirationcorp/form11/index.html"

New Hair Salon To Hold Grand Opening At Somerset Place On Friday

The first retail business in decades will open at Somerset Place, 5009 North Sheridan, next week. Uptown resident (and Uptown Update reader) Edward Steinbeigle will hold a grand opening for his new salon, Alchemia Art of Hair, at 5pm on Friday, November 20th.  Ald. Osterman and Uptown United President Sara Dinges will be on hand for the ribbon cutting, and you're invited to drop by and check it out.

Edward has had a home studio nearby, but looks forward to beginning to a new, larger operation, which will officially open to the public after the weekend.  He's been a stylist in several downtown salons and for several television shows, but welcomes the opportunity to hang out his own shingle.

Some newer residents may not know that the Somerset was opened in the 1920s as one of the city's finest apartment hotels and housed many shops and amenities. In 1972, it became an assisted living residence. So Alchemia represents not only the first retail to open on the site in many of our lifetimes, but is also a salute back to some of the amenities provided during the Somerset's original run.

Welcome, Alchemia, and thank you, Edward Steinbeigle, for putting your faith in Uptown.

Wilson Closed Next Week For (Wait For It) ... Platform Work

We're getting a platform! It's not going to look like the rendering for a couple years yet, but the CTA is starting the process of installing a new platform for the rehabbed Red/Purple Line Wilson station next week.

Monday, November 23rd through Wednesday, November 25th, Wilson will be closed to vehicular traffic between Broadway and Clifton between 9am and 4pm. Pedestrians will still have access to the area.

Specifically:

• Wilson Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic but open to pedestrian traffic
• Limits of operation will be between Wilson & Broadway to Wilson & Clifton
• Station entrance at Wilson will remain in operation
• Bus #78 will be rerouted and will not stop at Wilson
• Service drive for Truman College will remain accessible
• There will be dust/noise while work is being performed

Chase Park Sponsors Kids' Turkey Trot On Saturday

"Don't miss your chance to bring home Thanksgiving dinner from the annual Chase Park Turkey Trot! Participants will race around the Chase Park track to win a turkey (first prize) or a pie (second prize). This free event is open to children of all ages, and prizes will be given for first and second place finishers in each age group (13-18, 8-12, 7 and under)."

Jewel-Osco Collecting For Local Residents' Thanksgiving Meals

If you'd like to help people here in the Uptown area to be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, you can do so by making a donation at the Jewel at Broadway and Montrose.  There are signs like this at the checkouts:

Thanksgiving is coming and that means it is time for turkey dinners. Unfortunately there are still a large number of our neighbors and friends that will be without a Thanksgiving Dinner due to economic hardship. For the last few years Jewel-Osco has been proud to get involved with local churches and food pantries to deliver dinners to thousands of families within our communities.  This year our store will be delivering all proceeds collected to St. Mary's of the Lake.

That means that all of your donation dollars remain local. It is truly wonderful to see how caring our customers and associates really are. There are so many families that would have gone without last year for Thanksgiving if it had not been for this program.

Please consider giving today. All donation amounts are greatly needed and appreciated. You can elect to either deposit cash into our collection cup or we can conveniently add it to your bill and you can pay with credit or debit.

If you feel like you want to share the gift of an entire dinner for a family in need, the donation amount is $50.00.

Thank you for your continued support. Together we can make a difference in many people's lives this holiday season.

A Battered Beauty Meets The Wrecking Ball on Irving Park Road

This evening (click to enlarge)

Summer 2014 (Google Streetview) (click to enlarge)

Well, that didn't take long. Last week a permit was issued for the demolition of the one-story building at 927-929 W Irving Park Road, which dated back to 1919, but was aging poorly. By this evening, all was gone except the front wall.  (You can see what it looks like from the back on Curbed Chicago).

Most recently, 927 West Irving was the home of Asian Delight restaurant. When it closed during the summer of 2014, it joined the 929 side in having its doors and windows covered with plywood. We never were inside the building, but even from the outside, you could see the west half (929) noticeably sagging and pulling away from 927 half. We love vintage architecture, but sometimes buildings are just too far gone to save, and that appears to have been the case here.  Someone who posted on the Forgotten Chicago Facebook page went into the rubble this week and liberated some of the decorative terra cotta ornamentation.

We were hoping that the property wasn't yet another victim of "Thorek Flats," the process by which Thorek Hospital is methodically acquiring properties near it, tearing down the buildings, and leaving the lots undeveloped and empty for years.  So we did a little research.

According to the wrecking permit, the owner is a company called 927 W Irving, Inc. and its principal is Dave Gassman.  He's the developer who plans to redo the 3800 block of Broadway, and who built a new rental building at 4520 North Beacon. Since he's a developer, rather than a land banker, we look forward to seeing what happens on that portion of Irving Park Road.

Update: The plans for a new building have been filed with the city, per Curbed Chicago.

BYOB With Spoil Me

Party at Adel's! On Friday, November 20th, bring a bottle (your choice) and a blowdryer and head over to Spoil Me Salon for an evening of styling tips and fun.

Remember that Spoil Me is right in the middle of the construction zone for the Wilson L, and could really use as many customers as possible at this time. We can't think of a better opportunity than Friday.

Model Railroad Club To Hold Open House On Sunday

"A Metroliner is preparing to take off at Georgetown." (From the club's website.)

While we're watching the big railroad construction project at Wilson and Broadway, you're invited to take a look at another railroad world, this one in miniature, this Sunday, November 22. The Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club invites you to its biannual open house, to be held 1pm-4pm in the lower level of the Clarendon Park Field House, 4501 North Clarendon. Parking is available in the lot south of the field house (enter on Clarendon opposite Agatite).

"After a long day this Union Pacific freight is about to enter Georgetown for a crew change before continuing." (From the club's website.)

The club's website, at www.garfieldcentral.org, says, "Most people won't get the opportunity to run a local freight, operate an important passenger train at full speed with farms whizzing by or get to perform switching at a busy rail yard. At the Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club you can escape the world you know to a magical snapshot in time, hand-crafted, hand-operated and always different."

We've been to a previous open house and it's really a unique and entertaining time.

Edgewater Man Identified As Park Suicide Victim

A man whose body was found hanging from a tree in the park next to Lake Shore Drive on Monday has been identified as Abdela M. Hagaito of Edgewater. A woman traveling north on the Drive saw something not right in the park, south of the Foster exit, and called 9-1-1 to report it. Police arrived on the scene at 7:50am and taped off the area near the soccer fields with yellow tape, which was reported to us by several readers.

A death investigation is underway; Mr. Hagaito's death is initially presumed to be suicide.

We never know what's going through people's minds and what they're capable of. What we do know is that a family in a neighboring community has lost a loved one and is grieving.

If you know someone you think may be suicidal, please give them the number of the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, which is open 24/7.  It is 1 (800) 273-8255.  The website is http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  One thing Uptown has in abundance is social services. Help is close by.

Our thoughts are with those who are mourning the loss of a family member and friend.

Got A Story To Tell? Tonight's Your Chance

The monthly storytelling series continues on Tuesday, November 17th at Uptown Underground, 4713 North Broadway. It's the second event in a series that will take place on the third Tuesday of each month.

No experience is necessary for this open mic evening.  Bring your stories or fiction (no poems, please).  Everyone gets no more than seven minutes to tell their tales.  Arrive at 7pm to sign up for a spot, and the storytelling begins at 7:30pm.  It won't go past 9:30pm.

All ages are welcome, and it's free.

Want to know more?  Visit the website here, and start getting ready to enlighten and entertain.

New Proposal for Development of Maryville Site

Proposed corner of Montrose and Clarendon (2015 plan)

Proposed corner of Montrose and Clarendon (2015 plan)

Nearly two years ago, JDL presented a plan for developing the long-empty Maryville site at Clarendon and Montrose. For various reasons, mostly monetary, it didn't happen.  JDL put the proposal on hold, but renewed its option with the religious order that owns the property and wants to sell it to JDL.

Today Ald. Cappleman announced that a new proposal is under consideration:

"The former Maryville site at the NW corner of Clarendon & Montrose is back on the drawing board. After many months of negotiations with the City's Department of Planning, JDL Development and Harlem Irving have released documents for their new proposal, which will be presented to the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee on Nov. 30th. Click here to view the plans.

This area is a TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) district with the primary purpose of generating the tax revenue necessary to assist with rehabbing the Clarendon Park Community Center located at 4501 N. Clarendon. Back in 2010 when this TIF was created, $69 Million was estimated as the increment amount needed for a project at this site. The current proposal is $15.8 Million.

In this new proposal, no funds are provided to the developer until the project has already generated the tax revenue, placing the financial burden on the developer if the project is not successful. The developer must provide $4.6 Million for the Clarendon Park Community Center within 8 months of the start of the project. Click here for more basic information about TIFs.

The 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee previously approved this project to move forward in February 2014, but it was delayed by the Dept. of Planning due to the financing of the project. The total project cost is estimated at over $121 Million. When all is said and done, a development at this site will improve the blight created by the hospital vacancy and assist with the needed funds for the Park District to complete a rehab of the Clarendon Park Community Center.

Please review the information for this proposal on our website and provide feedback to your zoning representative. If you are not sure which organization represents you, please email my office at info@james46.org or call 773-878-4646."

For comparison, the 2013 plan's proposed corner of Montrose and Clarendon

Montrose and Clarendon today

Montrose and Clarendon today

Drive-By Shooting, Person Hit On 800 Block of Sunnyside (Updated)

Crime scene tape, the morning after

Many readers were awakened at midnight Sunday evening by 12-18 shots fired in the Clarendon Park area, followed by loud calls from the street of "Someone call 911."  Police arrived shortly and taped off the intersection of Sunnyside and Hazel.

According to scanner reports on Twitter, one person was hit in the leg and ran into the building at 829 Sunnyside. There was also a car, which was occupied, that took four or five bullets, and the police were questioning the occupants.

The initial reaction of the police was to contact the 24th District/Rogers Park police because "that's where the bad blood is." We surmise they're referring to the murder of an Uptown resident, a young man who was said to be a  gang member, early Sunday morning in Rogers Park.

Bad blood/revenge, it just never stops, and nothing ever gets resolved. We'll update if we learn more.

Updated: The Trib's overnight crime report says, "Around midnight, a 24-year-old man was hurt in a shooting in the Uptown neighborhood on the North Side, Alfaro said.  The man was on a sidewalk in the 800 block of West Sunnyside Avenue when someone fired shots from a passing gray sedan, Alfaro said.

The man was hit in the right leg and was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital, where his condition stabilized, Alfaro said.

[...] Inside the crime scene, a parked Toyota Yaris stood with shattered windows on Sunnyside. About half a block east, a blood trail from the wounded man stained the sidewalk and was cordoned off by another circle of yellow crime tape."

So tedious and meaningless...

Dispensary 33 Open To The Public This Weekend Only

Chicago's first medical marijuana dispensary opens on Monday, November 16th. Dispensary 33, located at 5001 North Clark, is giving the public a chance to see what's inside this weekend, Saturday and Sunday between noon and 6pm, at its Open House. No free samples, but lots of information.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting take place at 10am on Monday, with Ald. Pawar doing the honors. After that, no lookie-loos are allowed in the part of the building where the cannabis is stored and sold. Illinois law prohibits anyone other than staff, qualifying patients, and their caretakers to enter the inner pot sanctum once the dispensary has started sales.

We hit the joint (see what we did there?) on Saturday. The space has been completely overhauled since it was Pie Hole Pizza Joint. It was all very clinical, clean, light, and spacious -- what IKEA would look like if it opened a dispensary.

There were brochures on the medical marijuana program, FAQs about Illinois's Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, and applications to become a qualifying patient. There were displays of different methods by which patients can consume their meds: pipes, vaporizers, topical applications. There were friendly people around to answer questions about how to register to get MMJ there, among other things.

A side note: We noticed that the storefront between Dispensary 33 and Hot G Dogs is available. That's getting to be a busy and popular block, so if you know anyone who's looking for a good location, steer them to the photo below.