Walk With The Graceland Spirits On Halloween Day

There will be a Halloween Day walking tour of Graceland Cemetery Tuesday at 1pm, led by Uptowner and famed tour guide Al Walavich. Chicago History Museum members pay $20, and it's $25 for everyone else.

Bright Lights, Big Uptown! Free Uptown Walking Tour Saturday Afternoon

Bright Lights, Big Uptown! The Bezazian Branch Library presents a free walking tour at 2pm Saturday, October 28th, led by urbanologist Max Grinnell.

"Uptown has been a popular destination for musical ensembles since the 1920s and traces of the musical past and its vibrant present can be found on many corners. This tour will take visitors around to a few of the classic haunts, along with a few peeks at places where Chicagoans used to congregate for jazz and other musical explorations. This tour is hosted by urbanologist Max Grinnell.

Walking tours take place rain or shine, so bring an umbrella or a hat if needed!

This program is presented as part of the 2017-2018 One Book, One Chicago season, exploring the theme "Music: The Beat of Our City" through Greg Kot's book I'll Take You There."

The tour lasts an hour, from 2pm-3pm, and will begin at the Bezazian Branch Library, 1226 West Ainslie (at Magnolia).

Coffee Talk: How to Begin the Caregiver Conversation with an Aging Loved One or Parent, with Iris Waichler

Welcome to FREE monthly Coffee Talk workshops that are meant to educate and empower! The workshops are sponsored by Blessons Scholarships for Women and take place at the wonderful bar and restaurant, The Reservoir, located at 844 W Montrose.

Marlise Fein presents Coffee Talk: How to Begin the Caregiver Conversation with an Aging Loved One or Parent with Iris Waichler - Sunday, October 29, at 10:30am-11:30am

Many of us have aging parents and need to understand and help them with the process of finding a caretaker without going into debt. Unfortunately, uninformed decisions can cost your parents, or you, thousands of unnecessary dollars.  This free workshop is for those who want to learn more about the options, financial picture, and decisions involved in choosing or becoming a caretaker for your elderly friends or aging parents.

There are currently 45 million caregivers. A Pew Research study revealed 47 percent of adults in their 40's and 50's have a parent who is 65 or older while supporting a child. Are you one of them? You may be in the future. What will you need to know to be a good caregiver? How do you begin the caregiver conversation with an aging loved one or parent? Find out how to approach the topic of caregiving and what needs to be done to help all parties prepare.

Iris Waichler is a well-known patient advocate and has been a licensed clinical social worker for the past 40 years. She began her career working with geriatric patients who experienced catastrophic illness and counseled them and their families about adapting to these medical problems. She helped them understand their medical condition helping them... to cope with the disease and its impact on their lives.  More information about the workshop is here.

Blessons provides free mentorship and educational workshops for all women, including scholarships to disadvantaged, low-income women who are 25 years or older and who have had their higher education put on hold due to experiencing challenging life lessons including; cancer, mental illness, physical or emotional abuse, or who are first-generation immigrants.

To find out more information about Blessons please click on this link: Blessons Scholarships for Women

JJ Peppers Has Left The Building

We still don't know the future of the storefront (or liquor license), but it's clear that JJ Peppers as we knew it is gone. You can still go to nearby Asha Foods (4826 N Sheridan), Finest Food & NY Subz (4759 N Sheridan), and SaveMore Fresh Market (4652 North Sheridan) for your quick shopping needs.

Reader Ed Diffin posted this on UU's Facebook page, and says, "Everything is gone from inside, including shelves and coolers."

Out with the old... 

Casino Uptown Is Right Around The Corner, and UU Readers Get A Special Discount

Next week is Casino Uptown, the major fundraiser for Uptown United, where the historic Aragon Ballroom turns into a Jazz Age adventure!

Enjoy casino games (poker, blackjack, roulette or craps) to win incredible prizes. The price of admission includes 25 game tickets. There will be food from a variety of Uptown restaurants (also included as part of the admission price). Enjoy tasty libations -- two drink tickets are included.

A special selection of live jazz standards will be provided by Lakeside Pride.

It all takes place on Thursday, November 2nd, between 5:30pm - 9:30pm.

Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door. There's a special offer for Uptown Update readers: get $10 by using the code JAZZITUP , good for the first 20 people to respond.

Buy Tickets Here! Online tickets sales close at 12 noon on Thursday, November 2!

Interested in Volunteering at Casino Uptown? They are looking for volunteers to do various tasks including clean-up afterward, registration, prize ticket/drink ticket sales, prize table, and coat check.  You’re free to attend the gala before/after your shift at no cost.  Click here to see shifts and time slots for which volunteers are needed.

Halloween Celebration and Devil in the White City After Party At The Reservoir

The night's events include:

• Special White City inspired Cocktail
• 1893 World’s Fair Dinner Menu
• Costume Contest with prizes at 9:00 PM

The Reservoir is located at 844 West Montrose.

Let There Be Lights

The Gerber Building just got a little closer to what it was like when it was built in the 1920s, with the addition of globe lighting along Wilson and Broadway. You can see how similar the fixtures are to the original globe lights that lined the outside of the station in its heyday.

The lights and their fixtures have been gone for decades, but the old sockets remained right up until the time of renovation.

Back in 2009, Uptown Update posted suggestions of five ways the CTA could improve the Gerber Building. On our wish list was: "Add the same globe lighting you used at the Howard Street station to the exterior of the Wilson station. The old lighting sockets are still in place around the outside of the building (left)."

It's wonderful to see so many of the Gerber Building's original flourishes being restored, nearly a century after it was built.

Ghost Riders Welcome

A recent article on the WBEZ website mentions that Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum recently rescinded its prohibition on bikes on its 120-acre property. It's a gorgeous place, and not heavily traveled by car. So if you're looking for a site for a quiet ride, enter the gates at Irving Park and Clark. Graceland's hours are limited -- 8am to 4pm weekdays and 9am-4pm on weekends during fall and winter -- and maps are available online.

As with the smaller St. Boniface Cemetery (Clark and Lawrence), which is also open to cyclists, visitors are requested to be respectful of families and mourners who may be visiting their loved ones there.

Superior Donuts Times Two

If you're a fan of Superior Donuts, the Uptown-set (but Hollywood-filmed) CBS sitcom, a double dose of good news:

• The series will return for Season 2 on Monday, October 30th. Diane Guerrero will join the cast as a new character who opens a food truck that sells healthy organic food and parks it in front of the donut shop.
• At the exact time of the Season 2 opener (8:30pm on Monday), four stars of the show will be appearing at Zanies comedy club in Old Town. See Jermaine Fowler (Franco), David Koechner (Tush), Maz Jobrani (Fawz) and Rell Battle (Sweatpants) live on stage. $25 plus two-drink minimum; buy tickets here.

Wilson Avenue To Be Resurfaced In 2018

We asked the 47th Ward office whether Wilson would be repaved, the way Clark was, after this summer's sewer pipe replacement project was completed. This is the response we got, with some good news for Uptown next year:

"Wilson is going to be resurfaced by CDOT under their arterial resurfacing program from Lake Shore Drive to Damen in 2018. So in the spirit of coordination, this stretch will not be paved until that larger project mobilizes. If there are acute surface issues with the concrete trench or other roadway elements in the meantime, residents or business owners can reach out to us so we can alert CDOT to the need for patching."

Monday Ribbon Cutting For Wilson Red/Purple Line Station

Photo by Patrick Pyszka/City of Chicago

From Ald. Cappleman's Monday newsletter:

"The day has arrived that we've been waiting for since the 2011 announcement of a new $203 million Wilson L Station: The official ribbon cutting for the station, which is now ADA-compliant and is also a Red and Purple line stop.

The beautiful work of international artist Cecil Balmond was unveiled as well. Cecil's goal was to incorporate the neighborhood's history and create an abstract, Art Deco piece to announce to passengers that they are entering and leaving one of the most unique neighborhoods in Chicago.

Last week, the DIVVY bike station previously located on the northeast corner of Broadway and Wilson was moved to the west side of the new L station, closer to where it had been located before construction began. The relocation allows transit riders, and especially Truman College students, to easily use the DIVVY bikes.

The countless construction meetings--for planning, for the community and for businesses---are over, along with all the disruptions and noise that you have experienced. We can now enjoy a beautiful station for the next 100 years.

Thank you for your patience over the years with this project. The results have already been worth it: We have a host of new restaurants, coffee shops, and residential developments that have come into the area, attracted by the new station.

I especially want to join Uptown United in thanking all the local businesses for their patience during these years of construction. Please make sure to shop on the 4600 block of Broadway to show these businesses how important they are to the vibrancy of our community."

How Far We've Come

The Wilson North auxiliary entrance

The city issued a lengthy press release Monday about the official opening of the Wilson station. It gave a good summary of the changes and improvements:

• "The new main stationhouse, located on the south side of Wilson Avenue, is equipped with two elevators, two escalators, wider stairwells and additional turnstiles, making the station fully accessible to customers with disabilities as well as providing more convenient and comfortable service
• A second new, modern station entrance is now open on the north side of Wilson.
• Purple Line Express service at the new station, which allows riders to easily transfer between Red and Purple Line trains for the first time
• New art in the main stationhouse by world-renowned engineer, architect and artist Cecil Balmond
• The opening of a second new, much larger platform from which to board northbound trains
• Relocated track columns at street and sidewalk level to greatly improve visibility for pedestrians as well as vehicular and bicycle traffic.

The mayor and CTA today unveiled public artwork that was created especially for the station by Cecil Balmond, a world-famous artist, designer, and engineer known for his large-scale public art installations around the world.

The artwork, known as Arpeggios, is a multi-faceted sculpture suspended from the main stationhouse enhanced by a reflective wall and LED lighting. Customers moving through the turnstiles will notice the strong geometric shapes of the artwork as light is reflected to create the feel of continuous movement. The artwork celebrates the 1920’s Art Deco style found in Uptown’s historic architecture, and echoes the look of the Gerber Building across the street, which is currently undergoing reconstruction."

Still on the to-do list?

"The project will be fully complete in January 2018. Between now and then, the CTA will complete remaining components of the Wilson project, including:

• CTA will open a third station entrance on Sunnyside Avenue.
• Full restoration of the historic Gerber Building at Broadway and Wilson, which was built in 1923. CTA is currently seeking a tenant for the iconic building."

The Way We Were

Lest we forget, a quick look at the "features" of the pre-restoration Wilson L station that Uptowners enjoyed for decades.

Winner of the "Crust Station" Award, for "the CTA station that inspires crabbiness because of its lack of amenities, accessibility, cleanliness and customer service," voted on by CTA riders, three years in a row, 2009-2011. Yay, Wilson!

The eclectic paint job -- a colorful combination of blue, orange and mud brown paint, with accent splashes of unfinished wood.

Historic Decay -- maybe not the best way to show respect for the art deco design of architect Arthur Gerber.

No-Clean Zone: Decades of rust, oil, and train residue were left unchecked. At one point, a marble company offered to clean up the station's exterior for free. The CTA declined the offer.

Inviting empty retail spaces. Oddly, no one signed a lease for this storefront.

That time the ceiling collapsed in the main entrance -- and instead of being repaired, it was simply walled off.

Red And Purple -- For Real

The elevator tower at the new Wilson station shows its stuff:

What's Going On At JJ Pepper? Your Guess Is As Good As Ours

A much-asked question lately: What's going on with JJ Pepper? The shelves are 95% empty, the signs in the windows say everything's 30% -- then 40% -- off, there are new faces behind the counter, and there've been several changes of management in the past year.

Readers who've asked employees what's going on get responses like

• "We're cleaning"
• "We're remodeling"
• "It's closing and someone has bought it and is opening something else"
• "Look around, what the hell do you think is happening?"

The store has a grandfathered-in package liquor license that can't easily be transferred. The store is in a package liquor moratorium district. Even if the moratorium were lifted, the presence of nearby shelters and religious organizations would preclude a new license being issued. So the store's package liquor license is a rare and valuable commodity.

A UU contributor did some sleuthing and discovered that the store's licenses -- for selling food, cigarettes, and booze -- were all renewed just last July under the name of the original owner. She also discovered that the assumed name of "JJ Peppers Food & Liquor Store #6" has been dropped and the DBA is now listed as inactive.

Our guess is that the owner is dropping the franchise affiliation with JJ Pepper and reopening as an independent store. But that's just a guess.

With next-door Lawrence House close to being fully occupied, we think it would be a really bad time to give up the golden ticket, the package liquor license. We'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. If anyone has any definitive information, please feel free to put it in the comments.

In the meantime, there's Asha Foods (4826 N Sheridan), Finest Food & NY Subz (4759 N Sheridan), and SaveMore Fresh Market (4652 North Sheridan) in the immediate vicinity.

East Platform & Wilson North Entrance Open At Red Line Station Monday - Full Purple Line Express Service Begins

Have you noticed that the elevator shaft at the rehabbed Wilson station glows alternating shades of red and purple? On Monday, that hint of the station's function will become a reality as full Purple Line Express service begins, both northbound and southbound.

Monday is going to be a big day, as the entrance on the north side of Wilson will reopen as an auxiliary entrance that morning as well. CTA says:

"The station entrance on the north side of Wilson Avenue will reopen as a farecard-only auxiliary entrance. Access at the north auxiliary entrance will be through High-Barrier Gate turnstiles, and entry will require a valid farecard. For fare vending, staff assistance, or an ADA-accessible path, use the main entrance on the south side of Wilson Avenue."

(For those who are waiting for the Sunnyside auxiliary entrance, a CTA rep told us Friday that it will open around Thanksgiving.)

As we posted earlier, the east platform will officially open Monday morning as well.  CTA says:

"The new east platform at Wilson station will open. Howard-bound Red Line trains and Linden-bound Purple Line Express trains will stop at the east platform. The east platform may be accessed by stairs, escalator and elevator, and is ADA-accessible.

95th-bound Red Line trains and Loop-bound Purple Line Express trains will continue to stop at the west platform.

Purple Line Express trains will stop at Wilson in both directions, during both the morning and evening rush periods – during all times of Purple Line Express service. Wilson will be a transfer station between Red and Purple line trains."

Video Catches Images of Package Thief Entering Building

Please remind your neighbors not to let anyone into your building unless they are known and expected. This woman* was seen on security video waiting outside a building for 20 minutes until she found a person who would let her inside. She then removed 6 to 7 packages from the lobby.

With the holidays coming up, package thieves will be bolder and try to get into buildings by following people in, or breaking in, or ringing all the bells and waiting for someone to buzz them in. This is a good reminder to be very careful about not letting anyone in your building you don't know.

*Although the poster says this is a man, we are told she is a woman who is known in the community.

Volunteer Actors/Extras Sought For Disaster Scenario

Uptown United writes:

Weiss Hospital is looking for volunteers/actors this coming Tuesday, October 24 at 8am to help the hospital in a makeshift Disaster Scenario.

This year, they are simulating a massive car pile-up on Lake Shore Drive and are in need of volunteers to play the roles of 20 patients and 15 family members to act out their scripts at the hospital. Weiss staff will go into Disaster Mode and will have observers checking the progress.

If any volunteers have a little drama experience – all the better.

The time commitment will be about 2 hours. Volunteers should plan to arrive between 7:45-8am in the Senior Center at Weiss (4646 N. Marine Drive) and ask for Judi. If interested in signing up or have further questions, contact Terry Tuohy at ttuohy@weisshospital.com or call 773-968-6434.  Refreshments will be provided.

Maryville Progress By Day and By Night

Work continues at the 811 Uptown site at Clarendon and Montrose. According to the September newsletter from the construction company, the concrete structure is expected to be topped off by January 2018, with interior work continuing throughout 2018.

Live From the Green Mill... It's Saturday Night!

Paper Machete -- the always free, fun, and fabulous "live magazine" that takes place at the Green Mill Jazz Club every Saturday afternoon -- welcomes two of the newest cast members from Saturday Night Live this week, Chris Redd and Luke Null. Both Chris and Luke are Chicago comedy and Machete veterans who are home this weekend for the launch of the new SNL touring exhibit.

Paper Machete founder Christopher Piatt says, "The lineup has some of the best comics and music acts in town at the moment." In addition to Luke and Chris, it features Andrew Bentley, Becca Brown, Erin Diamond, Tom Fell, Melody Kamali, Carly Oishi, Prateek Srivastava, and Julia Weiss, with cabaret tunes from the Abbi Raasekhar Trio and the headlining band Get Up With The Get Downs.

The Green Mill is located at 4802 North Broadway and the show begins at 3pm.

Forgotten Chicago Talks About Chicago's Arcade History, Saturday At The Bezazian

Forgotten Chicago returns to the Bezazian Branch Library on Saturday, October 21st, from 3pm-4:30pm, with a presentation on Chicago's Arcade History! Classic arcade games from the 1980s like Pac-Man are now in vogue, but did you know that many of these machines were made in the Chicago area? Furthermore, many arcade games were designed and programmed by local Chicagoans.

Join us as we discuss this relatively unknown aspect of Chicago history. We'll talk about the designers, the companies, and the physical locations of the manufacturers, including buildings that are still standing to this day. Additionally, we'll talk about Chicago's rich pinball industry, which gave birth to the arcade industry here, the reasons these industries located in Chicago, and other historic tidbits.

Many photos and visuals will accompany the presentation. Afterwards, be sure to stop in and play a few vintage games at Uptown Arcade just down the street!

The Bezazian Branch Library is located at 1226 W Ainslie, at Magnolia.

Positive Loitering At Wilson/Broadway Tonight 6PM - 7PM

Positive Loitering is back for its ninth year in Uptown. Residents and police gather in "hot spots" for an hour a week to send a message that the streets belong to law-abiding residents. For more about positive loitering and what it is, check out this article, and this one.

via Uptown Chicago Commission:

"Positive Loitering will take place this evening between 6PM and 7PM. Our location is the corner of Wilson and Broadway (northeast corner) near City Sports.

Stop by for a few minutes or stay for the full hour. Bring a friend, bring a new neighbor, stop by on a dog walk, just come out! We have dog treats for your furry friends.

As always, the 19th District Police are aware of our presence and encourage participation."

Zoning Change Sought For Sheridan Road Mansion

Neighbors of the George Maher-designed home at 4506 N Sheridan recently received a letter about changing the zoning of the building that makes the new owner's plans for it a little clearer.

First, the building is safe. There will be no demolition of this 1895 classic.

The proposed rezoning will change it from an RT-4 (Residential Two-Flat, Townhouse, and Multi-Use District) to a B2-1 (Neighborhood Multi-Unit District).

The zoning notice mentions that it was previously a not-for-profit (Neon Street homeless shelter, to be specific) with office space included.

The plan is to divide the home's 5000+ square foot interior into three residential units and a 2400 square foot office space. As we mentioned in an earlier post, the room sizes are huge (a 12' x 31' foyer; a 16' x 15' sitting room; and a 30' x 24' family room). There are 11 rooms, as well as a full attic, basement, and porch. The third floor is a full ballroom.

Presumably most or all of the original elements (stained glass windows, grand staircase, and three fireplaces) will be retained, if possible.

Since the property was marketed as a potential teardown, we're happy to learn that the new owner intends to renovate it instead. Given its history as a private home, restaurant, funeral home, and homeless shelter, three residences and office space -- if approved -- will add another chapter in its history.

a portion of the proposed rezoning letter received by neighbors of the property

Track Alignment At Wilson All Weekend -- Northbound Purple Line Service Begins Monday

Photo by Thomas G. via Yelp

More progress as the Wilson Red/Purple Line project approaches completion after three-plus years:

• We are told that workers will begin pouring concrete on the east side of the 4600 block of Broadway tomorrow, and after it has cured for a week, asphalt will follow.
• The second of four final track cutovers will take place this weekend, which will place Track 3 into its final alignment. 
• Currently, only the West platform is open for use. However, after this weekend, the new east platform will open and service northbound Red and Purple Line trains (the west platform will still be for southbound trains).
• This weekend's construction closures will be in effect from 8pm Friday until 4am Monday (although CTA doubts it will last that long). Closures will include Broadway between Wilson and Leland; Leland between Broadway and Winthrop; and there will be equipment in the alley between Broadway and Winthrop (4700 block). As usual, there will be lights, dust and noise during construction.

"Dealer Divvy" Station On The Move

Rumor has it that the Divvy bike station at Wilson and Broadway, which has turned into a very convenient place for dealers of all kinds of substances to ply their trade, will be moved any day now has moved. It's gone west, in front of the new Wilson station, in plain view of an array of security cameras. Smile pretty, folks, and be sure to show your faces to the cameras.

For everyone who complains about constantly seeing drug deals, are you calling 911 each time? You can do it, and be anonymous. Instead of saying, "Someone should do something about that spot," be one of an army of someones.

For those who may be new readers of the blog, something we've learned over the years is that the police brass base their deployment of officers on the number of 911 calls. Fewer calls mean fewer officers.

Good news for Wilson and Broadway, and hopefully more arrests with the cameras being able to identify the sellers in the future. (But they need you to call in order to do it.)

Counterfeit Money Being Passed In Uptown

image courtesy of WikiHow

A warning to businesses -- people are attempting to use fake $100 bills in our community stores.

The owner of The Satellite Cafe wrote to us today and says:

"My business has had several customers in the past three days try to use counterfeit $100 bills. The images are pretty good, but the paper is wrong and none of the bills we've seen have lacked a security ribbon.

I would hate for another local business to suffer, which is why I’m passing this info along."

So, businesses, be very careful. Call the cops and give a description of the person if you get what you think is a bogus C-note.

Here are a couple articles on how to identify funny money:

• Counterfeit Money: How to Spot Fake Bills
• How to Identify Counterfeit Bills
• How to Identify Counterfeit Money

Cit-Go Somewhere Else

If you were looking for inexpensive gas lately at the "Home Run" Citgo at Belle Plaine and Clark, time to look elsewhere. It's closed and in the process of becoming a BP branded station.

Unidos Benefit for Puerto Rico To Take Place At Uptown Underground On October 30th

The good people at Uptown Underground and Chicago's theater community are teaming up to help the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. 

There will be a one-night fundraiser on Monday October 30th, and all proceeds will go to the Hispanic Federation for hurricane relief.

The evening will be co-emceed by Michelle Lauto and Yando Lopez. Performers will include E. Faye Butler, Donica Lynn, Alexis J. Roston, Lillian Castillo, Evan Tyrone Martin, Eric Lewis, Justin Brill, Keely Vasquez, Missy Aguilar, Sharriese Hamilton, Lucy Godinez, Stephen Allen, Chuckie Benson, Emily Berman and more.

Uptown Underground is located at 4707 North Broadway, and tickets are only $15. Help fellow American citizens at a time when they really need you! Purchase tickets here.

JASC Presents Holiday Delight/Kodomo Matsuri - Craft Bazaar & Children's Festival

Join JASC in celebrating HOLIDAY DELIGHT - KODOMO MATSURI

This Children's Festival and Craft Bazaar has something for everyone

with great food, performances, vendors, and demonstrations!

Saturday, November 11, 2017

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Japanese American Service Committee (JASC)

4427 N. Clark St

Chicago, IL 60640

Free admission to this family friendly event

Performances by Tsukasa Taiko drumming, Toyoaki Shamisen, and Shubu-Kai Japanese classical dance!

For more information, visit http://www.jasc-chicago.org/holiday-delight/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/824282634412750/

Sheridan Park Student Awarded Prestigious STEM Scholarship

Congratulations to Sheridan Park's Nicolas Ramirez, one of nine high school junior/seniors who was awarded a scholarship by ComEd for demonstrating his interest in pursuing STEM excellence.

Nicholas, who came to this country from Colombia just two years ago, attends DePaul College Prep.

The CEO of ComEd, Anne Pramaggiore, said in a statement, "We see investments in STEM education as investments in our future workforce and the Illinois economy.  We are excited to work with these great academic institutions to encourage and grow tomorrow’s best and brightest talent right here in Illinois."

In addition to the scholarship, Nicolas will have the opportunity to be mentored by a ComEd engineer. The students who excel in STEM during their high school careers will have an opportunity for a scholarship at DePaul University and continued mentoring.

We're cheering you on, Nicolas!

Red Line Assailant Sought By Police (Updated)

Update: A suspect has been identified and charged with the crime. He is Karon Cannon, age 24, of the 1300 Block of West Roosevelt. According to the police,

"Cannon was positively identified from surveillance video as the offender who robbed a 70-year-old man of his personal belongings. Cannon approached the victim on the sidewalk, punched him in the face, knocked the victim to the ground, and struck the victim with a dangerous weapon. Cannon then took the victim's personal property. The 70-year-old male victim sustained injuries to his head and was treated and released from IL Masonic Hospital in good condition. Cannon was identified through surveillance footage and was taken into custody on October 18th, 2017 at approx. 9:20pm and charged accordingly." He is due in bond court on Friday, October 20 and is charged with two felonies.

Original post:  This did not take place in Uptown. We are posting it so Red Line riders can be aware of the alleged criminal's face and description. Please call the numbers on the flier if you recognize him or can help with the investigation.

Get Down, Boogie-Oogie-Oogie, At Fat Cat's 70s Night

Bring out your best polyester, gold chains, and halter-neck catsuits, and make your way to Fat Cat on Friday.

Costumes are highly encouraged. There will be a DJ playing the best of the 70s.

The Facebook event page is here.

Out & About Uptown's Coast: Learn About The Leland Greenway And Alternative Transit

Alternative Transit, scheduled for October 26th, 2017, at 6pm, will be the fifth session of the Out and About Uptown’s Coast environmental education series. The session will start at 6pm at the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 N Sheridan Road.

Local experts will share information about connections between Uptown’s transit and coast.

• Melanie Eckner from the Uptown Coastal Initiative will share Uptown transit history; 
• Lara Rivera from Site Design and Kris Sorich from CDOT will discuss Uptown’s transit history and the present-day Leland Greenway project, with a focus on Uplift Plaza. 
• At 7pm, there will be a guided coastal walk to explore the Uplift Plaza and the Leland Greenway. 

The session is free, and participants can RSVP for the session at tinyurl.com/UptownICZ.

Majestic Men's Store 2.0

The H.W. Rubloff building, better known as the Majestic Store (Everything For Men), stood at Broadway and Leland for years. Built in 1922 and designed specifically to fit under the L tracks, it was a familiar site to generations of Uptowners. 

But Uptown's old nemesis -- deferred maintenance -- took its toll, and the building suffered a partially collapsed roof and the deterioration of its exquisite terra cotta.

When the CTA began its rehab of the Wilson L, it wanted to tear down the Rubloff Building (which it owned), but local preservationists fought hard to preserve it. A compromise was reached: the store would be dismantled during construction, and the exterior would be reassembled at the end of the rehab project. It would no longer be a store, but the historic elements would be retained.

Three years ago, workers painstakingly removed and numbered the terra cotta tiles.  Thanks to reader JMM, we can see that the the process of restoration has begun.

Last Friday, workers poured concrete into the wood framing, to create new walls:

On Monday, the framing was removed, to reveal new walls:

The terra cotta -- 80% of which was cleaned and restored, 20% of which had to be remade -- will be put up at a later date.