Was That A.... Unicorn.... In That Courtyard?

A reader sent in this photo and says, "This courtyard building on Agatite has created its own Garden of Eden!" Congratulations to the residents for making Uptown a little more festive for all passersby (on their totally allowed, totally socially distanced walks).

Learn & Ask About State of Illinois Issues in Virtual Town Hall on Friday

Friday, May 1st, State Senator Heather Steans and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy will hold a virtual town hall at 7pm. You are invited to watch and submit questions ahead of time.

Topics will include:

• Budget update
• State COVID updates, including the extended Stay-At-Home Order
• The increase in Illinois DHS funding
• General IDES questions

Click here to watch via Livestream. It will also be available on Sen. Steans' Facebook page.

Click here to submit a question.

Margate Park Surprises Neighbor Emerson With Socially Distanced Birthday Celebration

Margate Park neighbors gathered outside of Emerson and Teresa’s home on Tuesday to wish Emerson a happy 62nd birthday.

With proper social distancing, singing of “Happy Birthday,” a Streets & Sanitation truck with lights on, and horns honking — birthday wishes for Emerson brought the neighborhood alive.

Best wishes to Emerson and Teresa, and thanks to all the neighbors who organized and planned this special event!

Windy City Ribfest Cancelled, Argyle Night Market Postponed, and State Of Uptown Luncheon Goes Virtual

Sadly, the coronavirus and the dangers inherent in large groups gathering have necessitated changes to some of Uptown's favorite summer events.

Uptown United released a statement on Tuesday -- read it and weep:

"Windy City RibFest Canceled, Argyle Night Market Postponed, and Other Uptown Event Updates

• 2020 Windy City RibFest Cancelled. On behalf of Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown and our partners at Chicago Special Events Management, we are sad to announce that we have decided to cancel 2020 Windy City RibFest in Uptown, and postpone the event to 2021.
  
  While we love the community support (and ribs of course!), the safety of our guests and the community is our top priority. Continue to check our social media channels, www.chicagoevents.com and exploreuptown.org for the latest updates. In the meantime, please keep supporting our local restaurants and small businesses.
• Argyle Night Market Postponed to August.  We’re all hungry for summer, but we’re not sure when or how summer events might operate safely. With this caution in mind, Uptown United decided to postpone the opening night of the Argyle Night Market to Thursday, August 6th at the earliest. Watch the Argyle Night Market Facebook Page and exploreuptown.org for the latest updates on this annual Uptown tradition. While you’re waiting, please support local restaurants, grocers, and other businesses along Uptown’s Argyle Street.
• State of Uptown Luncheon Goes Virtual. Our annual luncheon with our local Aldermen (and possibly some special guest speakers) will be held on Thursday, May 21st from 12:00-1:30pm—virtually! This business-focused forum will bring together community leaders, business owners, and engaged neighbors to discuss the state of our community, our city, and our local economy. Pick up lunch from a local restaurant and join us on May 21st! Registration information will be available soon at exploreuptown.org."

City Sports Moves To Former Beck's Books Space

Future home of City Sports, 4520 N Broadway

We've been sitting on this story for a little while, but there is major movement to report at 4601 N. Broadway, the former homes of City Sports, Wilson Optical, and Family Dollar.

According to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, the sale of the buildings that were home to Family Dollar and City Sports closed at the end of February. 

A new developer has taken the lead on the project according to the CCRD. The John Buck Company, which has constructed large projects downtown like the Loews Hotel and 155 N Wacker, is now the lead developer. There will also be some cosmetic changes to the project that will need approval from downtown as TJBC has engaged with a new architect.

Meanwhile, City Sports is  vacating its long time home on the corner of Broadway and Wilson for a space in the McJunkin Building at 4520 N Broadway just across the street.

The move has been in the works for a while now, and earlier today City Sports began moving boxes into the new storefront. The space was most recently home to Walsh Construction during the Wilson L station rebuild and before that was home to Beck's Bookstore till 2014.  City Sports was the last store to vacate the retail complex that will be demolished for the long awaited mid-rise project at 4601 N Broadway.

As soon as we get a demolition/groundbreaking date, we will pass it along.

Feathered Family Moves From Cop Shop To Lakefront

On Sunday, the 19th District Police noticed some unusual activity in the district's parking garage on Addison Street in Lakeview. Officers had to move along some loiterers.

As the Twitter account said:

"Some of you may have seen a peculiar sight today.

Don’t worry - our officers were helping “rehome” our yearly visitors to a new and safer home on the lakefront.

Every year Mother Goose is back and we’re happy to help her relocate to better real estate! #watchout #GeeseCrossing"

Fat Cat Presents "Tiger King Trivia Night" on Thursday

Tiger King Virtual Trivia Night
Thursday, April 30 at 8:00pm

It’s time to don your finest leopard print, finally cut that Covid mullet you’ve been considering, knock out a few teeth and join us for TIGER KING TRIVIA!!

This Thursday, April 30th, at 8pm we will host a Zoom house party trivia with two of your favorite local bartenders, Jimmy and Amanda.

Featuring a guest appearance by Cubs superstar, local legend, and just a darn good guy: Ryan Dempster. Free to join, fun to play!

Costumes, pets, and all hilarity highly encouraged. Prizes will be awarded!

Sign up by Thursday morning April 30th to receive the sign in code.

Street Pavement Restoration Coming To Uptown/Edgewater, Parking & Lane Shifts Affected

As part of the Red/Purple Line modernization, Comcast will be restoring asphalt pavement on the 1100 blocks of streets in Uptown and Edgewater. Work will begin Wednesday, April 29th and go on through Friday, May 15th.

It will affect parking, so look out for signs if you park on these blocks. There will be lane shifts and no parking on either side of the streets.

• 1100 to 1200 W. Ainslie Street
• 1109 to 1115 W. Ardmore Avenue
• 1105 to 1200 W. Argyle Street
• 1109 to 1123 W. Balmoral Avenue
• 1115 to 1121 W. Berwyn Avenue
• 1105 to 1119 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
• 1109 to 1135 W. Catalpa Avenue
• 1100 to 1128 W. Foster Avenue
• 1109 to 1135 W. Hollywood Avenue
• 1101 to 1127 W. Lawrence Avenue
• 1100 to 1111 W. Winona Street

Work Hours will be 6am to 6pm

(Updated: Located) Woman Missing From Uptown, May Be In Need of Medical Attention

Update: The CPD released a bulletin on Saturday, May 9th, saying that Ms. Hill has been located.

Original Post: Keela Hill, age 40, is missing and was last seen on the 4800 block of Sheridan Road on April 1st.

She is 5'5" and weighs 180 lbs.

She has black hair and brown eyes, and may be in need of medical attention.

If you have any information that will help the detectives at the Special Victims Unit locate her, please call 911 or (312) 744-8266.

Doctor Seeks Donations Of iPads and Smartphones To Help Isolated Patients Speak With Loved Ones

Dr. Valerie Mayuga, who sees patients at three Chicago hospitals, including Thorek Hospital in Uptown, is seeking donations of wi-fi compatible tablets, iPads, and other devices that will allow patients to see and speak with their families.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are not allowed to see their loved ones in hospitals, and this gives both the patients and their families a chance to see one another, and in some cases, to say good-bye.

On Instagram, Dr. Mayuga posted:

"My birthday is coming up in a month, but this can’t wait. 

Inspired by another MD in NYC, as a Primary Care Physician, I would like to raise 100 IPADs/TABLETS with chargers to donate to any of the three hospitals I go to here in Chicago that have been hit hard with COVID19 — AMITA St Mary’s and Elizabeth Medical Center (where I also trained as a resident and now work as an attending), Thorek Memorial Hospital and Norwegian American Hospital. 

All our patients here die alone because no family/visitors are allowed in. We scramble to have their families see them one last time before they take their last breaths through facetime or skype or zoom but with everyone being too busy and because we’re also short staffed in most places, it doesn’t always happen. 

So patients die by themselves and families are left with a phone call after the fact. And most are nursing home patients who have given up their social security checks to the nursing homes they have originally come from before getting sent to the hospital and are left with hardly anything, much less a smart phone/tablet. They hardly have anything.

Sometimes they don’t have anyone.

Can you imagine dying alone? I can’t. I don’t want to.

So if you have any used IPADs / tablets (with chargers) that you don’t use anymore, or know individuals who would like to help us connect these patients here in the Chicago area with their loved ones, clear your device’s memory, send it over and feel free to message or DM me with any questions.
My address to send it to: 222 East Pearson St, Chicago Il 60611.

Happy Birthday to me? Send me a tablet and don’t forget the charger!"

.You can read about Dr. Mayuga on Block Club Chicago.

Track Work This Weekend Between the Lawrence & Berwyn Stations

The CTA will be doing weekend work beginning Friday night on the southbound Purple Line tracks between the Lawrence and Berwyn stations.

The work, which is part of the Red/Purple Line replacement project, will involve the replacing the contact rail.

The work will begin at 10pm on Friday and is scheduled to be completed by 4am on Monday. The CTA stresses that it is "rolling work," and "no singular location outside of the area where the crane is staged will have constant noise while the work activity is taking place."

Here's what to expect:

• A crane will be staged in the parking lot at 1130 W. Lawrence Avenue.
• There will be noise while work is being performed. Noise will include:

• General construction noise

• Use of pneumatic tools

• Metal on metal material handling

• Noise from rail equipment, crane and maintenance equipment 

• Beeping for backup alarms on maintenance equipment and vehicles

• Flagging horns

Black Ensemble Theater Presents Video Chat Friday Evening With Lyle Miller

Lyle Miller debuted on the Black Ensemble Theater stage in Try A Little Tenderness: The Otis Redding Story as Joe Tex in 1997. He is the most senior performer of the Black Ensemble Theater. From Sam Cooke in The Jackie Wilson Story (2000) to Chuck Berry in Hail Hail Chuck (2018), he continues to electrify the Black Ensemble Theater audience.

Join Us this Friday, 4/24 at 6 pm on Facebook Live for an ASK US! chat with Lyle.

Click Here to go to the Black Ensemble Facebook page.

Mayor Introduces Measure To Fund Phase One of Clarendon Park Fieldhouse Renovations

photo credit: Chicago Park District

At today's City Council meeting, Mayor Lightfoot introduced a measure that would authorize the funding process for much-needed renovations to the Clarendon Park Fieldhouse.

"TIF Assistance Proposed for Park Improvement Projects

Fieldhouses at four North Side parks* would be improved through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance proposed to City Council today by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.

Clarendon Community Center Park, 4501 N. Clarendon Ave. TIF in the amount of $6.9 million would support renovations to Clarendon Park fieldhouse in Uptown.

Improvements would include concrete and masonry restoration, new interior finishes, new plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems, and ADA-access upgrades.

The balance of the $13 million project would be financed with $4.6 million from Montrose Clarendon Partners LLC, which developed the nearby 811 Uptown apartment complex, and $1.6 million from the Chicago Park District."

In his 2019 review newsletter, Ald. Cappleman said:

"The rehab will occur in two stages: the first stage will be using funds from the TIF and Chicago Park District to shore up infrastructure issues that cannot wait any longer.

The second stage of this extensive renovation will complete the full project when additional funds are raised. The rehab will include draining work to prevent further flooding, a new gym, redesigned meetings rooms, and a new dance space for Kuumba Lynx."

* The other fieldhouses in the proposal are Avondale Park ($2.9 million), Frederic Chopin Park ($700,000), and Blackhawk Park ($3 million).

Pride Parade Postponed, Promoters Adopt "Wait and See" Attitude For 2020

Most of us saw this coming, but it's still disappointing.

After the city canceled late-May and early-June events like the Blues Fest and Memorial Day Parade, today the committee that sponsors the Pride Parade said the parade will not happen on June 28th, as originally planned.

Depending on what happens with the pandemic, it may take place in late summer or early fall.

In a statement released today, parade organizer Tim Frye said:

"We are sad to announce that the annual Pride Parade will not take place this year on June 28. We announce this postponement in the hope that conditions will allow the parade to take place later this summer or early fall.

We have always felt that safety is the first priority for our participants in the parade; the hundreds of thousands of spectators; as well as all the city agencies and independent contractors that work so hard to make the parade a success every year.

We hope that there will be a possibility to re-schedule. However, If that is not possible, we know that the Pride Parade will be back in 2021 and for years to come."

City Council To Hold Virtual Meeting Wednesday Morning

photo courtesy of Crain's Chicago Business

According to Tuesday's COVID-19 newsletter from Ald. Osterman:

"City Council will hold a virtual meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, April 22) at 10am, and you can view the livestream on the Chicago City Clerk website.

We will vote on giving the Lightfoot administration additional power regarding the allocation of state and federal funding to address the COVID crisis. I will provide an update on the meeting in tomorrow's daily email."

"Drink Happy Thoughts" Opens In Former Satellite Cafe Space

"Campfire Smores" Mocha at Drink Happy Thoughts

A new coffee shop has opened in the former Satellite Cafe space at 942 W. Montrose.

We'd like to welcome "Drink Happy Thoughts" to Uptown! They will feature coffee from the "Happy Monday Coffee Roasters" headquartered in Kankakee. Read more about them here.

According to their Facebook page, they satisfy both the angelic and devilish side of your palate, with coffee drinks, organic and locally made donuts, healthy concept snacks, fruit bowls, decadent treats, and rotating surprises for your palate.

Of course, at this time, items are only available for take-out.

Emergency Food Distribution To Those Hit Hardest By The Pandemic At St. Mary Of The Lake (Updated)

The Greater Chicago Food Depository and St. Mary of the Lake (4200 North Sheridan) are teaming up to provide some emergency food relief to families who have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

Beginning today, and each Sunday as long as the pandemic lasts, a 30-pound box of food will be distributed to each person or family who needs it, beginning at 3pm.

There is a very long line of people that has formed along both sides of Kenmore (see video).

St. Mary has provided videos in both Spanish and English to explain how the process works.

Social distancing and wearing a mask are important, and it is asked that each family send only one person (one who is able to handle a 30-pound box of food by him/herself) to stand in line.

• Video in English
• Video in Spanish

If you are able to donate your time or money to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help them in their mission, we encourage you to do so. The link on how to get involved is here.

Thank you to those who are making this possible.

UPDATE:  CBS 2 Chicago covered today's distribution.

Weiss Hospital Receives Supply of New Ventilators For COVID-19 Patients

messages to the healthcare workers from the factory workers
photo credit: Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune

On Friday afternoon, two pallets of much-needed new ventilators arrived at Weiss Hospital to much fanfare.

They are among the first ventilators assembled at the GM factory in Kokomo, Indiana. GM brought back 1,000 laid-off workers and trained them to produce ventilators, which provide respiratory assistance to patients who have trouble breathing on their own. General Motors is under contract with the government to produce 30,000 ventilators, which have been in great demand since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Workers at the Kokomo plant signed their names to the boxes coming to the hospitals and added encouraging messages directed to the healthcare workers treating patients.

There have been 12 deaths from COVID-19 at Weiss, and there are currently about 50 patients being treated for it, most of them elderly.  NBC has an article listing what nursing homes and senior care homes are linked with reported cases of COVID-19, including several in Uptown.

For more about the new ventilators:

• Ventilators For COVID-19 Patients Arrive In Chicago (CBS2)
• GM delivered its first medical ventilators: Where they went (USA Today)
• First batch of GM-made ventilators headed for Chicago (Chicago Tribune)
• First responders show their appreciation for hospital workers on the city’s North Side with a parade and doughnuts (Chicago Tribune)
• Chicago Firefighters Stop by Hospital to Cheer on Health Care Workers (NBC5)
• NW Indiana Car Factory Delivers Ventilators to Uptown Hospital (NBC5)

71-Year-Old Woman Missing From Thorek Hospital, Needs Medication (UPDATED: Located)

UPDATE: Police sent out a statement late Friday night advising that Ms. McMahon has been located.

Original Post:  71-year-old Versetene McMahon was last seen Thursday evening leaving Thorek Hospital on Irving Park Road. She is considered to be a High-Risk Missing Person.

She left on foot, wearing a tan coat, olive green hooded sweatshirt, red pants and tan boots. She was carrying an African printed purse, according to police reports.

Ms. McMahon is 5'3" tall and weighs 105 lbs. She has grey hair, which may be in a short ponytail, and brown eyes.

She is in need of medication.

Please call 9-1-1 or the Area North Detectives Special Victims Unit at (312) 744-8266 if you have information that can help locate her.

Buena Park Neighbors To Hold Virtual Spring Meeting On April 20th

"Dear Neighbors,

Please join us for our regularly scheduled Spring Community Meeting on Monday, April 20 at 7pm streamed live on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BuenaParkNeighbors/). Please contact us if you do not have access to Facebook and wish to receive alternative viewing instructions.

In these difficult times, we hope that a meeting with your Buena Park Neighbors will provide some information and maybe just a little diversion for you.

If you have questions that you would like to be addressed, please reply via email by Sunday evening. We will do our best to cover your questions during our call. The address to respond to is curtwiley52@yahoo.com.

Stay strong. Stay safe. Stay home.

Curt Wiley
President, Buena Park Neighbors"

Prime Wilson Avenue Storefront Available For Rent

1144 West Wilson

A retail space most recently home to "Snacks 4 Less" is now available for rent at 1144 W. Wilson.

The space is nestled between Jimmy John's and Nick's on Wilson, just across from Truman College.

Interested parties should contact Chris Irwin or Tracy Tepper at Colliers International at 847-698-8193 or visit the listing here.

Gas Station Renovation Underway At Lawrence & Ashland

Crews work to remove the old canopies at the Mobil station at Lawrence & Ashland

After the auto repair shop on the SE corner of Lawrence and Ashland came down for an apartment building, neighbors were wondering if the NE corner's fate was sealed when demo crews arrived on site.

According to the updated building permit, it is simply being rebuilt as a new gas station and convenience store. 

Update: This will reopen as a 7-Eleven.

Lake Shore Drive & Waveland Proposal Clears Major Hurdle

Revised proposal for Lake Shore Drive & Waveland (City Club Apartments & BKV Group)

After working out issues such as egress, height and parking with the condo board of the New York Private Residences, City Club Apartments is moving forward with plans for the Lake Shore Drive parcel that was originally intended for a second tower back in 1990 that never came to fruition.

According to Ald. Cappleman's development page, City Club Apartments has filed an amendment to the planned development with the city, but will still need to hear feedback from East Lake View Neighbors (ELVN) and the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee.

You might recall that the plans were given quite a tweak from the last proposal.

An Update & History On Upcoming Wilson Club

Looking west on Wilson towards Clifton, with current Wilson Club on the right

An update from Clint Sabin, City Pads spokesperson:

"Work continues to progress as planned for the future Wilson Club (1124 W. Wilson).

As we indicated in our last update, we are abiding by all the new guidelines issued by the federal, state, and city government, including providing our employees with personal protection equipment, and demanding that employees practice social distancing.

Later this week and next the fire escape on the western-facing wall will be removed, and the dumpster will be relocated to the southwestern corner of the building, where it will remain for the foreseeable future.

As promised in my last e-mail, I also wanted to provide information about the history of this structure:

Completed in 1914 as a commercial building with ground-floor retail and offices and a Masonic hall on the upper floors, the building was designed by noted Chicago architect Lawrence Gustav Hallberg (1844-1915).  Hallberg was originally from Sweden and was practicing in London when he learned of Chicago’s Great Fire and relocated to Chicago to participate in the City’s rebuilding.

Other notable buildings he designed include 1254 N. Lake Shore Dr., and 3314 N. Lake Shore Drive.  Hallberg died in 1915 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery.  His son, Lawrence Gustav Hallberg, Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and took over the firm upon his death.

In 1930, perhaps reflecting changes in the social fabric in the midst of the Great Depression, the building was converted to the Wilson Club Hotel which provided low-cost “cubical” accommodations at a daily rate of 75 cents, and a weekly rate of $4.50.

After many years of neglect, City Pads acquired the building in 2017, and is looking forward to restoring this building with opening planned for spring 2021."

UU Note: The fire escape on the Clifton side of the building has been removed as of this afternoon!

Wilson Club, minus the fire escape

The Waldos Forever Fest Goes Virtual: #420InPlace

Usually around this time, plans are well underway for the "Waldos Forever Fest," held as closely as possible to 4/20, to celebrate all things cannabis.

It's usually held at Argyle and Clark, in the immediate vicinity of Dispensary 33.

And with recreational marijuana becoming legal in Illinois in 2020, this 4/20 should have been a real blowout.

But hellllooooo Corona. No festivals or large gatherings for the foreseeable future, and Chicagoans living under a Shelter In Place Order.

The sponsors of the Waldos Forever Fest have decided to take it virtual this year.

This Saturday, April 18th, between 4:20pm and 6:20pm, tune in and (if you want) turn on.

"The virtual 420 fest via Twitch will take place on Saturday, April 18th at 4:20pm with personalities from the community creating original content to unite, entertain, and ignite the cannabis community.

Each segment will include appearances by local neighbors cooking with cannabis, blowing glass, bending neon, along with DJ sets, drag and performance art.

Waldos Forever Fest #420InPlace
Date: Saturday April 18th, 2020
Time: 4:20pm
RSVP for an event reminder and to be entered for a chance to win swag!"

Participants include:

• Shea Couleé (Rupaul's Drag Race)
• Chef Angelina (Top Chef)
• Sarah Mitchell (Tournant Chi)
• Lucy Stoole
• White Mystery
• Sauce and Bread Kitchen (Coop Hot Sauce)
• Bambi Banks-Couleé,
• Dom Brown
• Kat Sass,
• Jenae Williams (Tokeativity)
• Ramona Slick
• Acacia Way (Glassblower)

Click here for information, and to register to win swag

Dispensary33 will provide easy access to the stream by embedding the Twitch website onto their website with the goal to bring the community and its people a sense of sociability and togetherness from afar.  Dispensary 33's website is dispensary33.com.

Darlington To Get "Happy"

a banner signals the anticipated arrival of Happy Life Laundromat at the corner of Racine and Leland, in the Darlington Hotel building

Signage went up for a tenant in the commercial space of the Darlington building this week: Happy Life Laundry. There's a family-owned laundromat by the same name in Rockford, so our guess is that they're expanding into Chicago with an Uptown site.

We don't know many more details, but we have been told that it will be a modern and tech-forward operation. There will be a wash-and-fold service available for delivery. The opening date is a bit hard to predict right now ... for obvious reasons.

In other Darlington news, developer Elmdale Partners tells us that the final inspection on the first batch of apartments will be taking place very soon.  Elmdale is hopeful it will have more -- and possibly all 48 -- apartments ready for renters by June 1st.

Further beautification efforts on the outside of the building are taking place and will continue.

It's hard to say definitively, since we're living in CoronaTimes, but the hope is to have all the amenities in place by the end of spring.

One major improvement was already happening on Tuesday: the opening up of the long-boarded-up windows on the Leland side of the building. (photo below)

City Council to Meet Virtually On Wednesday Morning

Given Chicago's Stay At Home Order, traditions are being turned on their heads. The monthly City Council meeting is just one example.

It will be held on Wednesday, April 15th, via videoconferencing, and you are invited to watch, should you have the time and inclination.

According to a statement, "during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, the provisions of the Open Meetings Act requiring in-person attendance by members of a public body are suspended as well as the conditions limiting when remote participation is permitted."

The meeting will be abbreviated to give the Mayor and 50 council members the opportunity to adapt to the new format.  The meeting is a continuation of March's monthly meeting, and will primarily adopt rules addressing meeting by videoconference.  The agenda is here.

A more substantive meeting is expected to happen sometime soon in the future.

More details about dates and how to participate will be available on www.chicityclerk.com, which is also the address you can use to tune in to Wednesday's meeting at 10am.

Midsommarfest Moved; Mid-August More Manageable?

photo credit: Starbelly Studios

Andersonville's Midsommarfest, originally scheduled for June 12-14, has been moved to August in hopes that it will be safe to congregate in crowds by then.

The new dates set are August 21-23.  The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with event production company Star Events, will continue to closely monitor mandates and recommendations from the CDC, the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and other government sources in regards to large gatherings.

According to a statement, "Festival co-chairs Karin Moen Abercrombie (Swedish American Museum) and Mark Liberson (Replay + Elixir) share, 'When the time is ready, we look forward to bringing you this wonderful festival - and until then, please support Andersonville businesses online and at a safe distance.'"

Vendor applications are open through July 3rd (apply here).  The Midsommarfest website is here; the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will provide updates as they become available.

Kids & Kites Cancelled 'Cuz of COVID

Image from the City's website

We're sorry to have to relay the news that this year's Kids & Kites festival, usually held in Montrose Harbor, has been cancelled due to the Stay At Home order.

Always one of the most fun events to cover (and, we are assured, to participate in), it was scheduled for May 2nd, 2020.

The city's page announcing its cancellation is here.

Word On The Street Is...

We don't normally approve of people writing in sidewalk cement, but this is good advice.

Someone on Montrose reminds all passersby of 2020's mantra.

Stay safe and take precautions!

Darlington Hotel Apartments Near Completion

Retro signage installed at 4700 N. Racine, Darlington Hotel Apartments

Even during a pandemic, construction work is still moving around Uptown.

Case in point, the upcoming Darlington Hotel Apartments at 4700 N. Racine which is about to welcome their first tenants sometime this spring. A retro recreation of the signage has been installed on the corner marquee as well as over the over the main entrance on Racine.

The building will feature a mix of studios and one bedrooms starting at $785 and $1185 respectively. Each unit features stainless appliances and retro cherry-red refrigerators. The building will also feature a full private back yard, workout room, and two lounges.

Full details and how to join the wait list can be found on at www.rentdarlington.com

83-Year-Old Woman Missing, May Need Medical Attention

Larisa Begunova, age 83, is missing from Truman Square. She may need medical attention and is considered a high-risk missing person.

She is five feet tall and 133 lbs. She was last seen Monday, April 6th, at 7am on the 4700 block of Winthrop Avenue.

She has grey hair and brown eyes.

Ms. Begunova went missing briefly last month and was located within hours. She may appear confused.

If you have any information that can help the Special Victims Unit bring her home, please call 911 or the Area North Detectives at 312-744-8266.