Attention, Small Business Owners! Free Insurance Claim Policy Workshop Next Week

From Uptown Business Center:

"Please join the Uptown Business Center, Uptown Chamber of Commerce, and Alexis Zimmer State Farm for a free Insurance Claim Policy Workshop! This workshop will cover business insurance fundamentals, such as:

• What types of insurance should your business have on hand? 
• Key questions to ask your insurance agent. 
• How should businesses file claims/work with insurance after damage is sustained (for example, shattered windows, post break-ins, etc)? 
• Are there any investments a business could/should make that could improve their insurance policy (such as upgraded security systems, lighting, etc.)? 

The session will also cover information about the Uptown SSA Security Rebate Program that offers a rebate of up to 50% of qualifying expenses that enhance security for a business/property owner. 

This free workshop will be hosted at Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar, 4554 N Magnolia Ave on Tuesday, August 8th at 4:00pm. We hope to see you all on August 8th!

Questions? Email ubc@exploreuptown.org or call 773-878-1064."

Help Create A Fairy Garden At Sunnyside Mall This Weekend

From an email sent to parents whose kids participate in Sunnyside Mall's Kids' Garden:

"The Kids' Garden is thriving! Thank you all for your contributions of time, plants, other materials, and watering!!! It is clearly a community effort.

MIGHT YOU BE INTERESTED IN HELPING TO INSTALL THE FAIRY GARDEN THIS WEEKEND? DOES SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM WORK? IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE (RAINY SATURDAY) SUNNY ON SUNDAY 

To start 

• the main walkway area could use moss between the tiles, to soften the area; & may help keep those tiles in place.  And it is time to complete the garden setup by adding The Fairy Garden. The Fairy Garden will be around the large tree. Currently, there is mulch as a general ground cover. That needn't be permanent. It may benefit from a mossy area...and small, feathery plants -- to hide the fairies. 🙂

What will the garden have? What might you bring / do to participate in the installation?

• Build river rock steps, walls, walkways -- we have plenty of smooth, flat river rocks & 2-sided exterior tape to affix them together
• Add a mossy path -- we'll need moss -- & more for the main garden walkway
• Choose where the donated ceramic items -- built by senior citizen ceramics students - go:
• a doorway (somewhere against the tree)
• one or more little houses
• a tiny snail (affix to a river rock, or mini-log?)
• Add any items you want to include: 1 or more fairies? tiny, twig furniture? (we can make-will need glue) solar fairy lights? fuzzy plants?

What kids can do:

• We have champagne corks the kids can paint as toadstools (have 15) and place throughout the whole garden
• They can help build & "install" the other items

Managing expectations:

• One thing to emphasize with the kids is that what is put in this garden may not be permanent, but evolving, revolving. And they can have fun adding items throughout the year, like with changing seasons & holidays..."

UPDATED: Fatal Hit & Run Tuesday Night At Broadway and Winona

According to the Twitter feed of Sun-Times photojournalist Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere, on Tuesday night he witnessed a car speed up and hit a 69-year-old woman crossing Broadway in a crosswalk at Winona.

He stopped and reported it immediately after seeing what had happened. The woman was taken away in an ambulance. Sadly, he later reported, 

"Overheard the officer on a phone call say this was a Hit and Run fatality. The woman didn’t make it."

Detectives were on the scene afterward and took his statement.

We are hopeful that there are enough cameras in the area that the car that hit the woman, and its driver, can be identified.

Such a tragedy for someone's life to end this way.

As Mr LaRiviere writes, 

"As a lot of you know I cover this stuff a lot for the @Suntimes, but it’s a different perspective to actually witness it and be a part of the story. I can’t detach myself like I’m normally able to do. I’ve seen a lot of shit over the years but this might be something that sticks.

 [...]

Thank you for your kind words and support, but let's keep this woman's family in our thoughts too."

UPDATE: Our friends at CWBChicago have a story up with the victim's identity and more details, including a description of the vehicle. Please let CPD know if you have any information that will help solve this crime. --UU

Public Safety "Conversation" This Thursday for 46th Ward Residents

Given the recent uptick in violence, Ald. Clay (46th) will hold a "community conversation" about crime on Thursday at the Winthrop Family Historical Garden, 4630 North Winthrop. From her latest newsletter:

"The two incidents* that occurred last weekend involving stabbings were extremely frightening to our community. Although they both involve victims being stabbed, they are unrelated to each other. We continue to work with our local 19th and 20th Police District officers to have a presence in both of these areas and work with community residents to gather as much information as possible. 

We are a Ward with a vibrant community that prides itself on being a safe home for all.  Our office remains committed to finding solutions and amplifying current intervention resources while focusing on interrupting the cycle of violence and addressing its issues deeply rooted in inequity. This includes the need for increased access to mental health services, education, and affordable housing all across this great City of Chicago.

Our office is hosting a community conversation about safety on Thursday, July 27th at Winthrop Community Garden (4630 N Winthrop Ave) at 6:30 pm. We are excited to get a diverse set of stakeholders together to address some of the root causes of crime and violence in our City, and how we can use our resources to continue making sure every neighbor in our Ward is safe."

*The two "incidents" are the first two murders to occur in Uptown in 2023.

Wilson Yard's For Sale (The Retail, at least)

Wilson Yard Retail (Matthews Real Estate Investment Services)

Developer Peter Holsten has placed the entire retail portfolio at Wilson Yard on the market. 

Price: UNPRICED (Ed. Note: if you have to ask you can't afford it, doffs monocle) 

We of course recall all the shenanigans with Wilson Yard very well, but since the building retail opened in 2010, the Target store has become an anchor for the neighborhood and the residential has been well managed.

The retail strip here has had some good times and some bad times, but overall the streetscape here is miles beyond where it was in the early 2000s. Will be interesting to see if someone is willing to take on the risk associated with commercial real estate at present, but this strip has been ready for improvement for a long time. 

Immaculata Site To Become Temporary Migrant Shelter; Community Meeting On Friday

An email from 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay:

"Dear Neighbors,

It’s been an honor to serve our diverse ward for nine weeks, learning more about the rich culture we share and meeting neighbors who simply want to help make our communities a home for all. Since coming into office, one of the growing challenges facing our city has been the ongoing crisis of neighbors coming from the southern border seeking refuge. Chicago continues to stand up to our sanctuary city values as we work together to offer them long term resources in the form of housing, education, and safe communities. 

Our communities of Uptown, Buena Park, and Lakeview have been playing a vital role supporting new arrivals who have been temporarily staying in our 19th and 20th District police stations.  Mutual aid networks and local faith-based organizations have ensured that neighbors have access to clothes, food, and a welcoming community.  

Now, the city is asking that our ward step up to the plate further and continue to support new neighbors.  Our office was recently notified of a temporary shelter opening in our ward, housed at the former site of the American Islamic College at Irving Park and Marine Drive, originally the building of Immaculata High School. This Department of Family and Social Services (DFSS)-run site will include case workers with wrap-around services, coordinated health care efforts with Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and partner organizations. They will also have a comprehensive safety plan with CPD and on-site security, and will provide 3 meals a day to asylum seekers staying at the shelter. As has been communicated to us by a cross department inter-agency city task force, the site is set to open on July 28th and will house between 500 and 600 new neighbors. 

We know that this is new information for everyone in our community on a short timeline.  Many of you will have important questions and insights, and our office wants to ensure that everyone has access to relevant information and is able to have questions and concerns answered.  Transparent community engagement is a core pillar of our 46th Ward office, and we want to make sure everyone has as much information as possible.  This is why our office, in coordination with the Mayor’s Office, Department of Family and Social Services (DFSS), Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), and Chicago Police Department (CPD), is hosting a community meeting on Friday July 21st at 6pm at St. Mary of the Lake (4220 N Sheridan).  We want to ensure that everyone in our community is able to access clear information quickly and proactively, and this meeting is one important step in making sure that happens.

Please make sure to follow our social media for additional information about this community meeting, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if there are specific questions you want to make sure we address.  An FAQ document answering questions will be shared in the coming days."

Annual Sheridan Park Yard Sale Returns in August; Sign Up Now To Be A Seller

From the Magnolia Malden Block Club:

The 28th Annual Sheridan Park Yard Sale is set for Saturday, August 5th, barring rainstorms.  It's a good time to CLEAN HOUSE!

We always have a great turnout -- and it's just generally a fun time.

If you'd like to sell, please email your name/address (including apartment number if applicable) to mm.blockclub@gmail.com, and we'll get you on the Master List.

If you don't have anything to sell, put it on your calendar anyway -- it's a great day to go out and meet your neighbors, and maybe pick up a treasure you never knew you needed!