Learn About Buena Park's History On Saturday, March 22

 

WBEZ & Sun-Times Community Listening Session April 8

Uptown! Join the Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and La Voz at Everybody's Coffee at The Wilson Abbey (935 W Wilson Ave, Chicago) on Tuesday, April 8th from 5-7 p.m. for one-on-one conversations with their journalists. Community members are invited to inform journalists on community issues, ask questions, provide feedback, or simply get to know WBEZ and Sun-Times staff. Small bites and refreshments will be provided. RSVP and confirm your spot here! SUNTIMES.COM/WEHEARYOU

¡Uptown! Júntate con miembros del Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ y La Voz en Everybody's Coffee (935 W Wilson Ave, Chicago) el Martes, 8 de abril a las 5:00 p.m. y tengamos una plática personal para que nos digas qué sientes sobre nuestra cobertura en tu comunidad. Haznos tus preguntas, danos tus sugerencias para que podamos mejorar, comparte tu opinión o simplemente ven a charlar sobre los temas que más te preocupan en la comunidad. Habrá aperitivos y refrescos gratuitos. ¡Confirma tu lugar aquí! SUNTIMES.COM/WEHEARYOU

Hope You Don't Like Driving and Parking!

In news less well received by residents and local businesses than the Soviet-style copy here lets on, the City is going forward with removing all parking from one side of Clark Street from Montrose to Winnemac in favor of an extension of bike lanes.

Why Winnemac and not Foster or Bryn Mawr? Who knows!?!  [Eds: We suspect it's likely because the change won't affect Andersonville and powerful businesses along the corridor. As a result, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth won't have to hear from constituents.]

But in Uptown through Winnemac? All good!

Readers will recall that the Clark Street Corridor planning process started back in 2021 when the City, sitting on more than $10 million in TIF funds from the Clark-Montrose TIF, decided that a formal study was necessary to determine best uses for the funds. 

Various public meetings ensued, and Chicago's very loud biking advocates swamped the meetings and online to advocate for ... BIKE LANES! Surprise!

We heard some scathing things from readers about the plan and process, as well as complaints about the tenor of bike advocacy at meetings and in online voting, but we (and our readers) were pooh-poohed as dinosaurs who just didn't care about safety. 

With this new announcement, we hear businesses and residents along the strip are not at all happy about the change and feel they will suffer as a result of the elimination of parking. This stretch is in the midst of a rebirth as a functioning commercial district, and losing parking will inevitably stifle growth and dissuade entrepreneurs.

Now of course the large chunk of money that was earmarked for the TIF is supposedly gone, disappeared into City coffers, but money for bike lanes must be there somewhere in the City's pockets. And the stretch affected includes the new Black Ensemble Theater development, which will also be looking for TIF soon...  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Spring Forward On Sunday!

We return to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday (at 2am, to be exact), so set your clocks to spring forward an hour on Saturday night.

One less hour of sleep, always a lot of fun if you have a kid or pet who's firmly tied to a 24-hour schedule.

On the flip side, it means that evening light will last until at least 6:30pm next week, which is lovely if you like having the chance to stay outside in the daylight longer.

(photo from the JJ Sedelmaier Productions Collection, used with much appreciation)

La Mexicana Grill Grand Opening Saturday, March 8

At 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 8th at 4641 N. Clark Street La Mexicana Grill Uptown will celebrate a grand opening ribbon cutting and provide free lunch for the first 100 people!  

La Mexicana's owner JJ Romo, who has done almost all the interior work to the former Thai on Clark space himself, is the proud owner of La Mexicana Grill Wrigleyville and now La Mexicana Grill Uptown.  

We wish La Mexicana Grill much success!

Brennemann Elementary Hosting Open House Starting April 7

Brennemann Elementary (4251 N. Clarendon) is hosting an Open House next month for our Preschool programs. 

This event will be held Monday April 7, Tuesday April 8, Wednesday April 9, and Thursday April 10 from 4:15-5:15. Spanish translation will be available. 

From the hosts:

Explore Brennemann's high-quality program options, get a feel for the school culture, meet some of the staff, and get help completing your child’s Chicago Early Learning PreK Application at the Open House for our Half and Full Day preschool programs!