Principal Of Brennemann Elementary School Honored

Congratulations to Brennemann Elementary School's principal Sarah Abedelal. Today CPS announced that she is one of 29 new members of the Independent School Principals program, which "rewards high-performing principals with more autonomy, less red tape and more opportunities to innovate."

Additionally, ISPs have the opportunity to network with one another about how to provide new opportunities to students with reduced oversight from CPS's Central Office.

Other area schools and principals who are also new ISPs are Michael Biela (Rickover Naval Academy, Edgewater); Carolyn Eggert (DeVry University Advantage Academy, Roscoe Village); and Anna Pavichevich (Amundsen High School, Edgewater).

Mark Your Calendar For Independence Day Fireworks

Dust off the lawn chairs, shake out the blankets, start planning your picnic, or launch a charm offensive with your friends in high-rises: The Saddle & Cycle Club, at Foster and Marine, has confirmed that it will be holding its annual Independence Day fireworks display at approximately 9pm on Tuesday, July 4th.

While only members of the club and their guests may watch from inside the club grounds, the fireworks can be seen in the surrounding areas for free. Residents can watch the show from Kathy Osterman Beach, Foster Avenue Beach, Margate Park, and from friends' homes along Marine Drive.

If your view looks south, Navy Pier will be holding its fireworks show at 9:30pm on July 4th.

UU Note:  If you'd like to know more about our very low-key 120-year-old neighbor, Uptown Update did a "Flashback Friday" feature about the Saddle & Cycle Club a few years ago.

Happy Wall, Happy Wash

Happy Wash (1367 West Wilson) just got a little bit cheerier with the addition of this whimsical mural. Owner Sheila Donoghue (pictured center) sent in this photo and says, "Look what a group of artists at Beacon Academy in Evanston made for us!  It is SO cool."

North Side Businesses Being Robbed Late At Night

The police sent out an alert warning about armed robberies taking place at businesses during the wee hours of the morning. There is a pattern developing in the 19th District where a male customer enters businesses between 2am and 3am, pretends to purchase something, and then implies that he has a weapon and robs the place.

According to the alert, one such incident happened in Lakeview, another in Lincoln Park, and another in Uptown.

But here's the thing: the address given for the Uptown robbery (on May 11th) is the 4000 block of Kenmore. We can't think of a single retail business on that block, let alone one that would be open at 2:30am.

So we'll pass the warning along to business owners, and if you know the person pictured, please give the police a call.

Pivot Arts Festival: The Complete Line-Up

The Pivot Arts Festival, all live theater and performances taking place in Uptown and Edgewater, starts this Thursday, June 1, and runs through June 11. The entire line-up is below. Uptown events are in red.

Thursday, June 1: 
FESTIVAL LAUNCH: DRINKS-DINNER-THEATER

• 6pm — Wine tasting at Independent Spirits, 5947 N. Broadway St.
• 6:30pm — Appetizers and drinks at Income Tax Bar, 5959 N. Broadway St.
• 7:30pm — Buffet-style Dinner at Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant with a performance of Table Life, 5846 N. Broadway St.
• Price: $35 (includes wine tasting, apps, dinner and performance)

Enjoy dinner, drinks and a show along Edgewater’s Broadway Strip. Start with a complimentary wine tasting at Independent Spirits, then move to Income Tax for apps and a cash bar. The night closes with dinner at Ras Dashen, where Rachel Claff and Chloe Johnston invite you to Table Life, an immersive performance inspired by the work of novelist and food writer Laurie Colwin.

Friday, June 2:
TOAST THE FEST!

• 6pm — The Growling Rabbit, 5938 N. Broadway St.
• Price: $20/$15 with June 2 performance of Rough House Theater’s Ubu The King

Enjoy live music, appetizers by The Growling Rabbit and champagne in celebration of the opening weekend of the Pivot Arts Festival. Mingle with artists in a casual, upbeat atmosphere that’s sure to get everyone excited for the many festival events to come.

ROUGH HOUSE THEATER PRESENTS UBU THE KING

• 8pm — FLATSstudio, 1136 W. Wilson Ave.
• Price: $20/$10 with student ID

Rough House Theater’s Ubu the King brings Jarry’s seminal satire Ubu Roi to life in all its absurd, grotesque glory. In the hands of five power-hungry puppeteer-performers, lovable dirtbag Pa Ubu murders, lies and farts his way up to the Polish throne – and back down again. Beautifully designed and meticulously realized, Ubu is ridiculous and spectacular.

Saturday, June 3:
3rd ANNUAL “CELEBRATE COMMUNITY!” PARADE

• 1:30pm — Meet at Swift School Playground, 5900 N. Winthrop Ave.
• 2pm — Parade from Swift School to Creative Co-Working, 5940 N. Sheridan Rd.
• Price: FREE

Pivot Arts presents the 3rd annual Celebrate Community! Parade. Arts groups, schools, social service organizations, and individuals march in support of our diverse community. The event includes free puppet-making, theater, dance and music workshops for all ages. Participants include Aloft Circus Arts, Barrel of Monkeys, CircEsteem, Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop, Everybody Dance Now, Funny Bones, Green Scene, Northside Catholic Academy, Pedalheads, Rogers Park Montessori School, Storytown Improv, Swift School, Synapse Arts and Walkabout Theater Company.

ROUGH HOUSE THEATER PRESENTS UBU THE KING

• 8pm — FLATSstudio, 1136 W. Wilson Ave.
• Price: $20/$10 with student ID

Rough House Theater’s Ubu the King brings Jarry’s seminal satire Ubu Roi to life in all its absurd, grotesque glory. In the hands of five power-hungry puppeteer-performers, lovable dirtbag Pa Ubu murders, lies and farts his way up to the Polish throne – and back down again. Beautifully designed and meticulously realized, Ubu is ridiculous and spectacular.

Sunday, June 4:
SITE-SPECIFIC DANCE WITH AYAKO KATO/ART UNION HUMANSCAPE & SYNAPSE ARTS

• 3pm & 7pm — FLATSstudio, 1136 W. Wilson Ave.
• Price: $20/$10 with student ID

Two site-specific dance pieces combine for an innovative performance experience. Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape presents What Is Movement?, a dance-based inquiry into movement and stillness. Through What is Movement?, viewers rediscover the beauty and dignity of life in motion. Ayako Kato is a 3Arts Grant Award recipient and last presented in the 2014 Pivot Arts Festival, when her work received “Ten Best Dance performances of the Year” by the Chicago Tribune.

Synapse Arts presents soften every edge, which weaves together textiles, dance, and handheld lighting in kinetic harmony. Six women knit with their arms, creating satin walls that swallow the space in a site-specific performance.

Monday June 5:
NEO-FUTURISTS PRESENT THE ARROW

• 7:30pm — Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway St.
• Price: $15/$10 with student ID

The popular performance group The Neo-Futurists present The Arrow: a show of live-readings that subjects written essays to spontaneous interruptions, complications, absurdity and horseplay. Created by Neo-Futurists Kurt Chiang and Lily Mooney, The Arrow is different for every performance, speaking toward the current world and injecting the playing space with unexpected, honest interactions and happenings.

Wednesday, June 7:
LIVE TALK: BEST OF… HOSTED BY DEWAYNE PERKINS

• 7:30pm — Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave.
• Price: $12

Pivot Arts presents its monthly show, LIVE TALK, a mix of performances, panel discussion and food and drink for purchase at Uncommon Ground. Hosted by actor and comedian Dewayne Perkins, the festival Live Talk show includes past guests and hosts for a raucous night of celebration and community gathering.

Thursday, June 8:
THE PEOPLE’S REVOLUTION OF 2017, CURATED BY TIFF BEATTY

• 7:30pm — Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway St.
• Price: $10

The People’s Champion Tiff Beatty, joined by artists DXTR Spits, Plus Sign and Po'Chop, curates the revolution with a Chicago-based interactive performance and conversation series. In addition to her dynamic spoken word performance, Tiff curates, hosts and facilitates a space for performers and their creative audiences to co-create freedom and equality for all.

Friday, June 9:
BARREL OF MONKEYS PRESENTS MONKEYS UNPLUGGED

• 7:30pm — Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway St.
• Price: $15/$5 for children ages 6-12*
• *Must be accompanied by a legal guardian over 21. Children under 6 will not be admitted.

Barrel of Monkeys teaches creative writing in Chicago public elementary schools, and adapts stories written by their students into fully produced songs and sketches. Enjoy a special cabaret-style performance of some of their favorite musical adaptations – complete with wigs, props and hilarity straight from the minds of children. Unlike their more family-friendly shows, this one's for the grownups – and adult beverages will be available for purchase!

Saturday, June 10:
SAME PLANET PERFORMANCE PROJECT PRESENTS HONEY

• Door open 6pm, Performance at 6:30pm — FLATSstudio, 1136 W. Wilson Ave.
• Price: $10

Using 1970s disco as a source of inspiration, Honey plays within a queer space open to excess, risk, freedom and fantasy. Honey pours slowly taking audiences from casual intimacy into the allure of narcissistic pleasure.

AXIS LAB PRESENTS BASELINE: ARGYLE IS ALIVE

• 8pm — Baseline, 1118 W. Argyle St.
• Price: $10 suggested donation

Axis Lab’s Baseline: Argyle is Alive transforms an empty storefront on Argyle into a performance space with DJs, spoken word artists and community voices. Taste the culture of Argyle with food available for purchase. The Baseline series presents socially conscious events and pop-ups to promote sustainable and locally based economic and social development.

***UPTOWN ARTS CRAWL: Purchase the “Uptown Arts Crawl Pass” and see both Same Planet Performance Project and Axis Lab’s Baseline: Argyle is Alive for $15.

BARREL OF MONKEYS PRESENTS MONKEYS UNPLUGGED

• 7:30pm — Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway St.
• Price: $15/$5 for children ages 6-12*
• *Must be accompanied by a legal guardian over 21. Children under 6 will not be admitted.

Barrel of Monkeys teaches creative writing in Chicago public elementary schools, and adapts stories written by their students into fully produced songs and sketches. Enjoy a special cabaret-style performance of some of their favorite musical adaptations – complete with wigs, props and hilarity straight from the minds of children. Unlike their more family-friendly shows, this one's for the grownups – and adult beverages will be available for purchase!

Sunday, June 11:
ICE CREAM AND IMPROV WITH STORYTOWN IMPROV

• 11am — Lickity Split Custard & Sweets, 6056 N. Broadway
• Price: $10

The 5th annual tradition of ice cream (well, custard…) and improv! Join Storytown Improv for an all ages show that includes live music, improv and sweets for purchase.

---

The Pivot Arts Festival is made possible in part by our Premiere Sponsors: The Alphawood Foundation, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Illinois Arts Council, SSA26, FLATSstudio, Francesca’s Bryn Mawr, The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and Uptown United. Click here for tickets and more information.

Chicago Market Wants To Meet You Next Week

As many of us have heard, Chicago Market is making a bid to become the master lessee for the retail space in the renovated Gerber Building at Wilson and Broadway.* If you'd like to see what they have to offer and to learn more about our prospective new neighbor, there are two upcoming events:

• There will be an ownership informational meeting on Wednesday, June 7th, at Emerald City Coffee, 1224 West Wilson. If you are interested in learning more about the co-op, please attend!
• There will be a June BBQ Pop-Up Market on Saturday, June 10th, at Truman College (1145 West Wilson) between 2-4pm.  This is what Chicago Market has to say:

"Our vendors will bring the season's finest, including lots of fresh produce, bread and grains, and meat. All vendors align with Chicago Market's Purchasing Values.

We'll be joined by:

• Mint Creek Farm - Sustainably raised meat and eggs. 
• Laird Farms - Poultry, eggs. 
• Broad Shoulder BBQ - BBQ sauce  
• Niloofar - Persian Trail mix. 
• Brü Coffeeworks - Seasonal single origin coffees from all over the world - 
• Lena Rose - skincare, lifestyle and bath + body products for the conscious consumer. 
• My Chocolate Soul - Premier artisan all-natural chocolate  
• Organic Bread of Heaven - Certified organic bread, hamburger and hot dog buns 
• Sitka Salmon Shares - Responsible and sustainable wild Alaskan seafood 
• Meliora - Natural cleaning products 
• Hidden Hive Flowers - Organically grown farm fresh flowers

The charity that will be benefiting from the pop-up is Lakeview Pantry, and music will be provided by Kolleen Blume. RSVP here.

Incentive: $10 to Spend! Empower yourself to make change in our foodshed and local economy by supporting the cooperative model. Become an Owner before or at the Pop-Up and you get $10 shopping credit. Recruit a friend as a new Owner and you BOTH get the credit!"

*What's going on with the Gerber bidding process? The deadline for prospective lessees to submit questions was May 24th. The deadline for submitting bids to be the lessee are due to the CTA by June 9th.

La Primera Grocery To Close Today, May Re-Open Soon At New Location

For nearly 30 years, La Primera Fruit, Liquor, and Meats has been serving the Andersonville community. For the last two decades, it's been a familiar sight at 5012 North Clark Street. Today will be its last day in business, but there's hope that the store will open soon just a block away from its current location.

Kenny is looking forward to a well-deserved retirement, but Zack hopes to re-open just down the street, at 5059 North Clark (at Carmen, in the former Marguerite Gardens storefront). He is waiting for the red tape to get sorted out before opening.

Rising rents at the current location are given as the reason for the move. The current location is for lease (see the listing here). The rate is $40/square foot.

We hear that the store is very nearly down to empty shelves, but stop by today for a bargain and wish Kenny a happy retirement, and Zack a quick re-opening.

Provisions Uptown To Go From Soft Opening To Grand Opening on June 5th

Provisions Uptown has announced the dates of its Grand Opening festivities. Between June 5th and June 16th, enjoy nightly wine and spirits tastings at the shop (4812 North Broadway). Be sure to let them know you're happy they chose Uptown!

Broadway & Wilson Payless Shoesource To Close

The Payless Shoesource at 4547 N. Broadway, slated to be closed.

As part of Payless Shoesource's restructuring in bankruptcy, 408 stores nationwide are scheduled to close with as many as 19 in Illinois. One of those slated to close is the Broadway and Wilson Payless.

Rumors are swirling of a still unnamed restaurant, possibly Italian/pizza that is interested in the space. It appears this storefront will not be vacant long. In the meantime, stock up on shoes while you can or check out the recently opened Ross on Montrose.

Pivot Arts Festival: 10 Days of Innovative Performances In Uptown & Edgewater

Pivot Arts is pleased to announce the full line-up for its 5th annual PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL, featuring ten days of innovative performances and multi-disciplinary works throughout Chicago’s Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods from June 1 – June 11, 2017. Tickets, ranging from free to $35, are currently available at www.pivotarts.org/festival. Three-show passes are also available.

The ten-day Festival showcasing some of Chicago’s top artistic innovators features theater, dance, puppetry, hybrid/multidisciplinary works, spoken word/hip hop, children’s performances,  workshops, discussions, wine tastings, an interactive performance/dinner party and more. The Festival also includes the third annual “Celebrate Community!” Parade on Saturday, June 3 at 2 pm, culminating in an afternoon full of free family-friendly performances.

Artists/events featured in the 2017 PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL include: Aloft Circus Arts*, Axis Lab, Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape, Barrel of Monkeys*, Tiff Beatty, Lizi Breit and Dan Kerr-Hobert, Rachel Claff and Chloe Johnston, CircEsteem*, Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop*, Everybody Dance Now*, Funnybones*, The Neo-Futurists, Pedalheads*, Dewayne Perkins, Rough House Theater, Same Planet Performance Project, Storytown Improv* and Walkabout Theater Company*.   *Denotes family-friendly artists/participants.

This year’s Festival venues and locations include: Creative Coworking, FLATSstudio, The Growling Rabbit, Income Tax Bar, Independent Spirits, Lickity Split Custard & Sweet Shop, Ras Dashen, Swift Elementary School, Uncommon Ground Devon and Uptown Underground.

Festival Kick-Off Party
Join Pivot Arts for a sneak peek of this year’s Festival at the Festival Kick-Off Party on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 6 pm at Francesca’s Bryn Mawr, 1039 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door and include appetizers, drinks, entertainment, plus a silent auction.

Tickets are available at www.pivotarts.org/festival.

New Business Alert: Ora Oral Surgery & Implant Studio

Ora Oral Surgery & Implant Studios upcoming location at 4814 N. Clark

A retail space we've been hoping to see filled for a long time will soon have a tenant. We'd like to welcome "Ora Oral Surgery & Implant Studio" to 4814 N. Clark.

Ora currently operates a South Loop location at 1827 S. Michigan and plans to have its new Uptown location open in June. Check out the Ora website here, as well as their Facebook page here.

Free Tours of Hutchinson And Entertainment District As Part of Uptown Saturday Night (June 3)

Uptown Saturday Night Presents Salsa Music and Dancing (June 3)

RSVP here for Salsa in the Park!

Still Time To Register For the Dim Sum & Then Some 5K (June 3)

There are some days where the calendar is full of things to do, and Saturday, June 3rd, is one of them. From early morning, when the Dim Sum and Then Some: The Uptown 5K takes place, to late in the evening, there will be plenty to choose from.

We're going to start posting June 3rd events throughout the weekend so you can decide what decide how to plan your day.

The day kicks off with the Dim Sum and Then Some: The Uptown 5K, sponsored by the Chinese Mutual Aid Association. The race kicks off from Buttercup Park at 8am, with race day packet pick-up between 6:15am and 7:45am. Runners will be entertained along the route by CMAA's Lion Dancers, among others. And when it's all over, each runner with be given a box of dim sum, prepared by Furama Restaurant.

The route is mostly through the park and will end up at Sheridan and Argyle. There will be some parking restrictions:

• Margate Terrace (from Buttercup Park to Marine Drive). No parking from 6am until 9am (or until the last runner crosses onto Marine Drive)
• Argyle St. (from Sheridan to Marine Drive). No parking from 6am until 10am (or until the last finisher arrives and the street is cleaned up).

You can still register for the race, even on race day if spots remain. For more information, see CMAA's website, where you can register, and the event's Facebook page.

Klein's Bakery To Open Saturday Morning In Buena Park

Photo from Ald. Cappleman's Twitter account

Great news for Buena Park! Klein's Bakery & Cafe will open for the first time on Saturday morning at 7:30. Advance word is that the pastries are delicious. We can't wait to have brunch there.

Klein's is located at 4155 N Broadway, at Buena, in the former 7/11 space.

Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Special Pricing This Holiday Weekend

From Jenn Kincaid of Uptown Underground, on Uptown Update's Facebook page:

"Hey Uptown! Happy Memorial Day Weekend! (What's with this cold & rain anyway???)

For anyone "stuck" in the city this weekend, I'd love to offer two-for-one tickets to Kiss Kiss Cabaret - 10pm Friday & Saturday nights at Uptown Underground! Just use the code UPTOWN in advance or at the door.

Bring your friends, bring your neighbors! See you there!"

Night Of Faith And Action Positive Loitering Tonight

Commercial Leasing Educational Class Today

Uptown is booming and commercial spaces are filling up. Learn what you need to know about protecting yourself when choosing a home for your business.  What should you think about when it comes time to re-sign your lease?

Kick off Memorial Day with this educational program hosted by Irpino Real Estate.  Food and drinks will be served to get you into happy hour mode.

Attendance is free for Business Partners members AND $10 for non-members. Presented By: Dominic Irpino & Adam Gilbert (Law Offices of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen, Ltd.)

The meeting will take place on Friday, May 26th, at 2pm at the offices of Irpino Real Estate, 4234 North Broadway. Register here.

Lakeside Neighbors Block Club Expands Its Boundaries

Lakeside Area Neighbors Association has voted to expand its boundaries to include streets that are not presently represented by a block club. The new boundaries for the block club are Sheridan, Lawrence (both sides of the street), Clarendon, and the north side of Wilson.

Their next meeting will be held the last week of June. The date and location will be confirmed on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LakesideNeighbors46.

Citywide Seat Belt Enforcement Zones Through Memorial Day

If you're getting around on four wheels this holiday weekend, be sure that you and everyone in your vehicle uses their seat belts.  From the CPD:

"During the Memorial Day Holiday weekend of May 2017, the Chicago Police Department will be partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police, and other law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois, in support of the "Click It or Ticket Campaign."

The Chicago Police Department will be conducting Safety Belt Enforcement Zones throughout the City of Chicago. The goal of these missions will be to save lives and educate motorists on the importance of always wearing a seat belt."

St Boniface to Hold Traditional Field Mass To Honor The Fallen on Memorial Day

St. Boniface Cemetery will hold its annual Field Mass on Monday, Memorial Day, to honor those who gave their lives in service of this country. It will take place at 10:30am and will be led by the Very Rev. Peter Snieg, Rector and President of St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University. All are welcome to attend.

St. Boniface is located at 4901 N Clark. If you attend, you may want to check out the Civil War Memorial that honors German immigrants "who took part in the defense of the new fatherland." St. Boniface opened in 1863 and was Chicago's first German Catholic cemetery.

Summer Activities Aplenty In Sheridan Park

Good evening neighbors! 
It might not seem like it with the gloomy weather, but Memorial Day is upon us and summer is shaping up to be busy in Sheridan Park! Highlights include:

• Windy City Ribfest at Lawrence and Broadway with Berlin (from Top Gun fame) as performers - volunteers are still needed and you can sign up at this link!
• Sunnyside Mall Block Party on July 16
• Sheridan Park Yard Sale on August 12
• And the same day, the Sheridan Park Arts Festival! Our Call to Artists is still out: sign up for a booth or as a performer! You'd rather feed the crowd with your cooking? We also have slots for food vendors. More information at the link and in the attachment.
• And as always, our BYOB Game night every second Wednesday of the month at Emerald City Coffee. 
• Last but not least, Sheridan Park Neighbors Association has recently welcomed a great group of volunteers and we're now looking at making this official and incorporate. So please join us on June 6 at 7pm at Emerald City Coffee for an extraordinary meeting where we will elect our officers. That will allow us to be more ambitious for our various events and initiatives! We will file for incorporation shortly thereafter.

We're looking forward to seeing you this summer in Sheridan Park!

Clark & Wilson Development Gets Cut Back In Size

Revised design for 4537 N. Clark (Longford)

A redesigned plan for 4537 N. Clark will be voted on at the next Dover Street Neighbors Association meeting on June 7 at 7PM at 4542 N. Dover.

After receiving feedback on the first proposal, the developer and architects revised the size of the building and the design, to fit in more with the existing Clark streetscape. The overall height of the building has been reduced by 11 feet. The total number of units in the development will drop from 24 to 18.
Neighbors along Dover Street were concerned about the shadows that would be cast upon their backyards. A shadow study was conducted, which came to the likely conclusion that the building would cast shadows on the properties behind it, resulting in an approximate 2 hour reduction of sunshine.

Residents who own property in the Dover Street Landmark District as well as those who live in the 4400 block of Dover will be allowed to each have one vote at the meeting. For more information please contact DSNA at SecretaryDSNA@gmail.com

That Was Quick. TCF Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested By FBI

If the charges against this alleged bank robber are correct, he had an eventful month of May.

Eric Hanson, 34, is accused of robbing two Lakeview Byline Banks and one Uptown TCF Bank within six days. The TCF at Montrose and Sheridan was robbed last Thursday afternoon.

Now the FBI has a big red "CAPTURED" stamp plastered on the photo of the suspect.

According to Crime in Wrigleyville, the FBI was tipped off by two of Hanson's former classmates who recognized him from bank camera photos. Not hard, actually, since he didn't attempt to disguise himself even a little. He had sunglasses with him, but left them propped on his hat.

CWB goes on to say that when the FBI checked out his Facebook page, he had posted photos showing off a new neck tattoo -- identical to the one that one of the tellers had described the bank robber as having.

Read the whole story here at Crime In Wrigleyville + Boystown.

LSD Closed On Sunday Morning For Bike The Drive

This Sunday is Bike The Drive, when the entirety of Lake Shore Drive is closed to vehicular traffic between 5:30am and 11am. If you want to participate, registration is still open. If you have plans to drive that morning, be aware that traffic on surface streets will be heavier than usual.

WBEZ Reporter Natalie Moore Will Speak About Chicago and Segregation Wednesday In Uptown

Wednesday night, the Bezazian Branch Library and the Women and Children First Bookstore are teaming up to sponsor a talk with WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore. Ms. Moore is the winner of the 21st Century Award from the CPL Foundation for her book The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation, and will be presented at the Carl Sandberg Awards in the fall.

Books will be available for purchase from Women and Children First, and Ms. Moore will sign them upon request.

Community Justice Center To Celebrate Grand Opening of Argyle Satellite Office

The Community Justice Center North, which prosecutes crimes committed in our area, will open a satellite office on Argyle. All are invited to the grand opening on Friday, June 2nd, at 11am.

Buena Park Circle's Summer Entertainment Schedule Announced

From Buena Park Neighbors:

"Many thanks to the folks at SSA #34 who just approved our grant request and will be major sponsors of our summer fun in Buena Circle Park (Kenmore & Buena). Mark your calendars and come on out:

• June 15 - Concert in the Park with Frieda Lee*
• July 21 - Movie in the Park - the original Willy Wonka!
• August 17 - Concert in the Park with Wall of Denial (Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Band)
• September 30 - Puppet show in the Park"

* Frieda Lee was scheduled to appear last year, but her show was canceled due to infrastructure work at Buena Park Circle. Now that the renovations are complete, we urge you to come see one of Chicago's jazz legends. She's a former Buena Park resident who has performed at the Kennedy Center and opened the Jazz Festival. We eagerly anticipate her performance!

Celebrate National Hamburger Day Meat-Free at Kāl'ish Short Order Vegan

Sunday, May 28th, is National Hamburger Day. We know that there are many places in Uptown to grab a delicious burger. But if you're someone who doesn't eat meat, or limits your intake, this is a celebration that you normally pass up.

Kāl'ish Short Order Vegan restaurant has your back. They are open 10am-3pm on Sundays, including brunch, and have a selection of meat-free burgers, including:

• K Burger: Classic beefy patty, K sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle & onion ($10.50)
• G Burger: Gluten free and nut free garden patty and bun, G sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle & onion ($10.50)
• Bad ADZ Burger: K Burger with bacon, cheese, roasted garlic mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion ($11.50) (pictured above)
• Avocado Crunch: K Burger or G Burger with avocado mash, spicy pico, tortilla crunch, crema & lime cotija ($11.50)
• Pesto V Burger: K Burger Or G Burger with provolone, leafy green pesto, cream and spicy peepadew relish ($11.50)

Kāl'ish is located at 1313 West Wilson. You can read more about their menu, their hours, and their founders at their website.

Aldermen Call For Task Force to Reduce Jail Recividism

Ald. Cappleman, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th Ward), and Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th Ward) have sponsored a resolution that calls for City, County and State officials to form a task force to reduce jail recidivism among individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders.

Ald. Cappleman will hold a press conference at 10:45 today, prior to a hearing on the matter in front of the Committee on Public Safety at 11am.

The resolution mentions that Cook County Jail is reportedly the institution housing the highest number of people with mental illness in the United States.

The press release states: "People with severe mental illness are released from incarceration with no official identification in hand, no source of income or funds in place, no support system in place, no immediate access to psychotropic medications, and no housing in place.

"This very complex issue of reducing jail recidivism must involve local, county, and state governments working together to create a collaborative plan among all repeat offenders, but particularly for those living with a co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorder."

A copy of the resolution is here. A study by the Urban Institute provides supportive evidence about the cycle of arrest, incarceration, and release that occurs with many mentally ill individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Chicago Uptown Ministry to Close By End Of June

The state budget crisis has claimed another social service agency here in Uptown.

Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois made what it described as an agonizing decision earlier this month to restructure and cut back on its statewide programming. Unfortunately, one of the nine programs that will be closed is Chicago Uptown Ministry, located at 4720 Sheridan.

According to its website, Chicago Uptown Ministry provides "a food pantry [that] serves as a bridge to a number of other services including: ESL classes, after-school programming, art classes, piano lessons, AA meetings, support groups, senior services, workshops, parish nursing, substance-abuse treatment referral services and social-justice advocacy."

LCFS's decision on what programs to cut is based on its core mission: providing care to neglected and abused children and their families. About 100 employees statewide will be laid off, approximately a quarter of LCFS's total staff. It also based its decisions on what other social services were available to take over the needs of the clients of each of the discontinued programs.

Of course it has to do with money. "LCFS’ current financial challenges resulted from trying to meet the needs of too many diverse groups, which overburdened the organization with trying to find necessary long-term funding needed to sustain those disparate services.

"In addition, payments from the State of Illinois for core programs such as youth residential services, no longer cover the cost of providing quality services to traumatized children and families. Over the years, LCFS sought private dollars to cover stagnant rates for services that did not keep up with rising cost of providing services."

LCFS is a statewide agency that has been around 145 years. In addition to Chicago Uptown Ministry, it will be closing these programs:

• Financial Education, Chicago
• Hardin Food Pantry, Hardin
• Little Village Food Pantry, Chicago
• Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center, Addison
• Lutherbrook Academy, Addison
• Nice Twice Thrift Shop, Mt. Vernon
• Senior Care Services, Chicago
• Veterans Assistance Program, Decatur

We have to wonder how many other programs will be lost before the state can agree on a budget.

Shots Fired This Afternoon On Eastwood

There were shots fired this afternoon on Eastwood Avenue, coming from shooters on Sheridan. A reader took this video and says, "I happened to be taking recycling out. These two ran by and apparently threw a gun on the roof of the Ace hardware on Broadway and Leland.

The police have this video and were looking for the two and recovering the gun at the moment."

It's entirely possible that these guys were running away from shots fired. Most reasonable people would. We questioned the reader, who said that when s/he was speaking to the police and showing them the video, other eyewitnesses were confirming to the police that the men on the video were those who fired the shots and threw the gun on top of Ace Hardware. According to the eyewitnesses, they got rid of the gun when they heard police approaching.

A reminder: Unless they are arrested, charged, and tried in a court of law and found guilty, they are presumed to be innocent.

The People's Music School is on Eastwood, east of Sheridan, on the exact block where the shots ended up. Whoever the shooters are don't even care about kids getting music lessons. It's all about stupid gang "logic," and if someone, even a kid, gets shot, do they even care, as long as they can avenge something posted on social media? It's a damn shame.

The Musical Line-Up For Rib Fest Has Been Announced (And It Takes My Breath Away)

There's some good stuff that will be happening at the Bud Light Main Stage of the Windy City Rib Fest this year. Here's the line-up:

Friday, June 30th:

• 3pm - Aloha Center of Chicago
• 5pm - Alvarez Kings
• 6:30pm - Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press
• 8:45pm - Berlin featuring Terri Nunn

Saturday, July 1st:

• 12:15pm - Kreyol Roots
• 2:30pm - To the 9's
• 4:15pm - The Remedy
• 5:45pm - Get Up with the Get Downs
• 8pm - Too White Crew

Sunday, July 2nd:

• 12:30pm - Bethany Thomas
• 2:40pm - Lynne Jordan & the Shivers
• 4:30pm - One Night Band
• 6:30pm - JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Remember that Rib Fest is looking for volunteers at the beer tents, so you can enjoy the music and help the community at the same time.

Volunteers Needed For Windy City RibFest Beer Tents

From Greg Carroll at Business Partners, the Chamber For Uptown:

"We’re gearing up for the 9th Annual Windy City RibFest right here in our neighborhood from Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2!  Windy City RibFest features top local and national ribbers and is expected to bring 25,000 attendees into Uptown this year.

The fest also offers a Mainstage lineup featuring local rock/pop and classic indie acts as well as local tribute bands.

For the 6th year, Business Partners, the Chamber for Uptown will be the beneficiary of this festival and will receive a portion of the proceeds from gate sales/beer sales as well as all tips from shifts that we can cover at the beer tents.  This funding helps us accomplish our mission of building a strong, unified business environment; facilitating economic development; and strengthening community — all to nurture a diverse, vibrant, thriving, and strong Uptown.

This is where you come in!  We’re going big this year and trying to fill all shifts at both beer tents instead of just the one, and we can use all the volunteers we can get.  We hope you can join us this year, and encourage you to recruit your family, friends, or co-workers to build a team!

All volunteers will receive a complimentary volunteer t-shirt with the Windy City Ribfest logo and a high-five from the Chamber staff.

For information on shift times/availability and to register to volunteer, CLICK HERE! 

We have a limited number of spots for volunteers who will be helping out in the Chamber Tent as well.  Reply to info@uptownbusinesspartners.com if you’re interested.

We hope you can join us for what is sure to be another great event for Uptown!"

Rib Fest will take place on the 4700 block of Broadway.

Fresh Harvest Market Opening Soon?

Those who have missed Fresh Harvest Market have a reason to be hopeful. Reader SW sent this photo in this afternoon and says, "It looks like the Fresh Harvest opening should be very soon. The paper is down off the windows and the shelves are stocked." The store is located at 4650 Sheridan, near Leland.

Sheridan Park's Dick Uyvari Honored With a Memorial Bowling Tournament On Saturday, June 3rd

The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame will celebrate its annual Dick Uyvari Memorial Celebrity Bowl, on Saturday morning, June 3rd, at the Waveland Bowl (3700 North Western Avenue).

Who was Dick Uyvari? He and his partner Joe LaPat were long-time Uptowners who bought and painstakingly restored many historic homes all over Sheridan Park, helping it attain the official designation as the Sheridan Park National Register Historic District. You can read more about the homes they helped save and restore here. Dick passed away at age 71 in 2015.

In addition, he and Joe were generous sponsors of various local causes during their lifetimes. “We are excited to honor the legacy of Dick Uyvari,” said event co-chairs Kathy Caldwell and Darrick Johnson. “Dick helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities over the years, including for AIDS groups, Gay Games VII in 2006, and most recently the Hall of Fame. Dick and Joe are both inductees into the Hall of Fame for their commitment to the LGBT community.”

People can support the event by both bowling and raising pledges from friends, or they can donate to a bowler or the event itself. There are over 40 bowlers registered. For information, contact bowling@glhalloffame.org or call 773-459-8337.

The free event starts with registration at 10am followed by bowling at 11am, and wrap-up at noon. A continental breakfast is provided by Ann Sather’s Restaurant. Donations can be sent to Friends of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, 3712 N. Broadway, #637, Chicago, IL 60613-4235, a 501c3 nonprofit. Online donations can be made through Paypal. Those sponsoring a bowler can indicate their name on the memo line of the check, or in the additional information link on Paypal: http://tinyurl.com/mwow4kc

Weezie and Her Goslings Do the "Weiss Waddle" To Montrose Harbor

Photo courtesy of Weiss Memorial Hospital

For the third year in a row, "Weezie," a real-life Mother Goose, has chosen to have her babies on the top floor of Weiss Hospital's parking garage, where there is a rooftop farm. This year's goslings came along in April.

A few days ago, it was time to leave the rooftop and put their newly acquired maturity skills into practice in the real world. Under the watchful eyes of escorts from Weiss, the goslings followed Mom down the parking lot ramp, across the streets, through the park, and to Montrose Harbor. Once there, they took to the water after a little hesitation. Now they'll learn some more lessons about lakefront living. You can see them do the "Weiss Waddle" in the video above.

Maybe Weezie will choose the rooftop farm as her personal maternity ward again next year... if so, Weiss will welcome her for a fourth year.

If you'd like to learn more about Weiss's rooftop farm and the activities that take place there, click here.

Wilson L Construction Update -- Next: The Station Houses

We got an update from CTA's representative about the big picture for the Red Line rehab during the next few months. After two and a half years of demolition and track rebuilding, they are moving into the final stages of the project and anticipate meeting the end-of-year projected deadline, with the station houses scheduled to be completed before the end of the baseball season:

"We are taking advantage of the good weather and are full speed ahead with crews working at all three station houses (Sunnyside, Wilson Main, & Wilson Auxiliary); Gerber building; Track 4 structure; and the east platform.

• Wilson Auxiliary (north side of Wilson) will likely be the first of the new station houses to open up, possibly in July, if everything continues to go smoothly.
• Wilson Main and Sunnyside stations are still projected to be completed by mid-September. That is also the time that the elevators and escalators will become operational. [UU Note: Whoo-hoo!]
• After the September station opening, our presence on site will be greatly reduced but we will still be out here finishing up work at the Gerber, and other closeout activities until the end of 2017.
• The air horns that you are hearing are a safety mechanism used by CTA flaggers to alert us when trains are coming through the area so that we can have our equipment & personnel a safe distance away while they pass.
• We have been trying to keep Leland Ave. open as much as possible but do require intermittent closures to complete the foundation work in the area. 
• We will be closing Wilson Ave. next Wednesday and Friday to do some work on the track structure. There will also be a full Broadway closure in about 3 weeks, likely at night time, to allow us to erect the track steel where it crosses over Broadway. More details after that work gets solidified."

Get Together With Your Ainslie Winmore Neighbors

Free Guided Sidewalk Tours Of George Maher Mansions on Hutchinson On Saturday, June 3

detail of the front portico at the Mosser Home on Hutchinson, designed by George W. Maher
(Photo Credit: VHT Studios)

If you're an Uptown history buff, circle Saturday, June 3rd, on your calendar. That's the day that Buena Park Neighbors will offer free sidewalk tours of the Hutchinson Street Landmark District, showcasing the architecturally significant mansions that literally put Buena Park on the map.

With most homes having been built between 1894 and 1918, the city says, "this street contains one of the city's best collections of Prairie-style residences, many of which were designed by noted architect George W. Maher."

The tours will leave the corner of Hutchinson and Hazel every half hour between 1pm and 3:30pm, and will last 30 minutes.

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. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in Buena Park.

Provisions Uptown To Hold Soft Opening Next To Uptown Theater on Tuesday Morning

What's behind the brown paper? Find out on Tuesday, at 11am, when Provisions Uptown opens for the first time.

The first couple weeks will be a soft opening, with the Grand Opening taking place on Monday, June 5th. There will be a week of evening wine tastings to kick off the official opening. Provisions will open at 11am daily, with staggered closing times depending on the day of the week.

Co-owner Erik Archambeault took us on a tour, but asked that we take no photos since they're still putting the finishing touches in place on what he describes as a "general store" in the middle of Uptown.

If you were expecting only wine, cheese and spirits, you'll be surprised. There's so much more, most of it locally crafted.  There are greeting cards, a vegan toiletry line, candles, t-shirts that proclaim Uptown pride, even baby clothes. There are plants and herbs you can grow in your windows, and a gift-wrap station. There are homemade jams, specialty condiments, and gift items as well. Did we forget to mention grooming products for beards, and snacks?

The space looks much more spacious than it did in the Book Box/Shake Rattle & Read days. But there's a sense of history there that you can't miss. There's a huge painting of the facade of Shake Rattle & Read above the cash register, and the wall opposite it is covered with LPs and their covers in a salute to the much-loved book and record store that was in the space for 50 years.

One of the display cases is made of beautiful dark wood, and came from the original Marshall Field's. The linoleum flooring has been taken up, revealing a classic Chicago tile floor that may date back to the 1920s, when the storefront was a Fannie May Candies shop.

Provisions Uptown is located at 4812 Broadway, right next to the historic Uptown Theater. The store's website is https://www.facebook.com/ProvisionsUptown.

A warm welcome to Provisions Uptown!

Explore Urban Ecology Along Uptown’s Coast, Series Begins Sunday

The Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Uptown Coastal Initiative are organizing an environmental education series, Out and About Uptown’s Coast, starting on May 21st. Urban Ecology is the topic of the first event of the nine-session series, focusing on native ecology including wildlife habitat in Uptown’s coastal zone.

• The Urban Ecology session will start at 1pm at the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 N. Sheridan Road, for a classroom style experience with local ecology experts, including Susan Ask of animalia project. 
• The second component of the session will be a guided nature walk through Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and Montrose Beach Dunes. The session is free, and participants can RSVP for the session at tinyurl.com/UptownICZ.

The Out and About Uptown’s Coast series hopes to connect residents, workers, and visitors, and strengthen links between the well-being of the coastal ecosystem and the health and well-being of those who live, work, and visit Uptown’s coast. Highlighting local expertise and creating a space for diverse attendees to learn about and explore the area together, each session’s unique lens will target different subjects and circle back to universal accessibility to and stewardship of Uptown’s coast across a spectrum of disciplines. Read more about the series on ICA’s website.

Final Chicago Market Community Meeting Saturday In Uptown

As we posted six weeks ago, the CTA is seeking a master lessee for the large retail space in the rebuilt Gerber Building on the 4600 block of Broadway. While the process is still ongoing (final bids aren't due until June 9th), and we have no idea about the number of applicants or the strength of their bids, one has been very vocal about its strong interest in the space: Chicago Market.

It has held several public meetings with the Uptown community to explain more about it, and the next -- and last -- one is Saturday at the Bezazian Branch Library. If you would like to learn about the market, what its plans are, and what to expect if it is awarded the lease, we urge you to show up.

"This Saturday, May 20, we'd love you to come to a community meeting to learn more about Chicago Market's bid for the Gerber Building in Uptown at the Wilson Red Line Stop.

Our last meeting was packed, and Chicago Market board members (along with Alderman James Cappleman!) had great conversations with Chicago Market supporters and Owners - watch our blog for a summary soon. It was great to see all the enthusiasm for bringing a community-owned sustainable grocery store to the neighborhood.

The best way to show your support for Chicago Market (and to learn more) is to come to a community meeting. Our second (and final) meeting is Saturday at 1:30pm at the Bezazian Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 1226 W Ainslie. RSVP here.

Board Members from Chicago Market will give exciting details about the project, answer questions from the community, show off some drawings and renderings and, hopefully, get everyone excited about a local, sustainable, community-owned grocery store coming to Uptown.

If you want to support Chicago Market in other ways:

• Share our petition in support of our bid
• If you're not an Owner of Chicago Market, become one!
• Connect us with community groups and organizations that you think would be a good fit for Chicago Market. Email us with ideas."

Artists, Vendors & Musicians Sought

From Sheridan Park Neighbors Association:

"The Sheridan Park Arts festival is back!

We're looking for artists, musicians and food trucks or vendors to participate in our Sheridan Park Neighbors Association Arts Festival on the Sunnyside Mall Uptown on August 12!

All the details are on the flyer - contact us if you want to participate, or know someone who does!

Oh, Come ON -- Montrose TCF Robbed Today

Just a few weeks after the FBI arrested a man suspected of robbing TCF Banks located in Jewel-Osco stores, the TCF branch inside the Jewel at Montrose and Sheridan got robbed today. Again.

The suspect is believed to be the same man who robbed two banks earlier this week, both Byline Bank branches in Lakeview.

The robbery took place at 4:11 this afternoon. The suspect is described as being 5'11" to 6'1" tall. He is a white man of medium build. He was wearing a dark blue button-down jacket, a camo-print baseball hat, and had sunglasses with him, but he didn't wear them. They were perched on his hat's bill, leaving his entire face exposed.

We can't imagine this is a good career option:

• These guys always get caught (the FBI just arrested a suspect in another Uptown robbery that happened in 2016); 
• They only get $2000 or $3000 when they rob bank branches that don't handle a lot of money, like those in grocery stores; and 
• They are tried in federal court.

The FBI is offering reward money for information leading to this man's arrest. If you can help them, they'd love to hear from you at (312) 421-6700.