Person Shot In Ankle At Sheridan & Lawrence

This stupid, stupid gang war that apparently encompasses the entire north lakefront, from Lakeview to Rogers Park, played out another chapter in Uptown late last night.

Judging from posts to UU's Facebook page, there was a person shot in the ankle around 1am at 4759 N Sheridan, at Lawrence.  This is the corner where U-T Pantry is located.

U-T Pantry was closed at the time, so demands to "shut them down" aren't really applicable.

Bring in more cops?  There's already an increased police presence in the area (see Ald. Osterman's note to the community).

Hard to stop a bunch of people who are hell-bent on shooting and killing each other for the sake of "gang honor" and "turf" that other people own.  At least this time they chose to do it when fewer innocent bystanders are out and about.

Update:  The Tribune reports that "Also early Wednesday morning, a 19-year-old man was shot in the Uptown neighborhood. He was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said. He was shot in the 4700 block of North Sheridan Road, she said."

Holiday Cards From Inspiration Corporation

If you haven't gotten around to ordering your holiday cards yet, you can get them locally and do some good for Inspiration Corporation by buying from them.

The design is shown on the left and the cards can be personalized with your signature.  They can even mail the cards out to your mailing list.

Cards are $15 for a pack of 10 and are 100% tax deductible.

Ordering information is here.

Graffiti Blasters Coming On Friday

Ald. Cappleman tweeted:  "Graffiti Blitz in the #46thward on Friday, December 7th! Call 311 or let our office know where you see graffiti!" 

We've seen a lot of new scribbles, and you probably have, too.  Please call 311 or write or call the 46th Ward Office to report what you see.  You'll be asked the address of the graffiti; what surface it's on; if it's at the rear, front or side of the building; and if it's over six feet off the ground.

Update On Dog Shooting Story

photo courtesy of Fox Chicago

Fox Chicago did a story that aired Monday night on the English Bull Terrier that was shot by a police officer in Buena Park on Saturday afternoon.  There's some footage of the dog post-surgery, which may be upsetting to some readers.

The puppy, "Colonel," had five hours of surgery and should be okay, which is a relief.  The incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Review Authority, which does an inquiry every time an officer discharges a weapon.

We'll reserve judgment until we find out both sides of the story, but we are glad to hear the little fella's future is looking good.

Update:  Buena Park Neighbors says in its latest newsletter:  "Each month our local police meet with the community to talk about crime and other issues of concern to the residents.  In light of the dog shooting that happened last Saturday, BPN is encouraging residents to attend this meeting on the 6th.

Whenever the police use lethal force in our community we have a right to know what justified that action. A discharged firearm is a major safety issue that should concern us all.

There are many questions that need answers and we are expecting to get those answers on Thursday.  All concerned residents should plan to attend the December 6th C.A.P.S. meeting:

What:         December C.A.P.S. meeting
When:        Thursday December 6th, 2012
Where:       Chicago Public Library at 929 W. Buena Ave
Time:         7 pm"

Update: Predictably, once it ran on Fox, the story was picked up by most other local media outlets.  According to ABC7, (1) the police's only comment is that the Independent Police Review Board is investigating, (2) Colonel was released from the emergency vet today, wagging his tail, and (3) the Cone of Shame has never looked cuter (okay, number (3) is a UU opinion).

Change Of Command

According to Second City Cop, the CPD made some personnel changes on Monday, and Cmdr. Lucy Moy-Bartosik of the 20th District (all of Uptown north of Lawrence) is now the Executive Officer of the Patrol Division.  Second City Cop says, "No word on who is going to 020 yet."

If this is true, we will miss Cmdr. Moy very much.  In our years in Uptown, we've had some commanders who weren't interested in communicating with the residents at all, and Cmdr. Moy was a welcome change from that line of thinking.  We wish her the best.

CTA's Santa Train Coming To Uptown

Beginning next week, the guy in red will ride the Red Line! Keep an eye out for CTA's Holiday Train, which will be running through Uptown on these days:

• Wednesday, 12/12 - Red Line 
• Thursday, 12/13 - Purple Line 
• Friday, 12/14 - Red Line 
• Saturday, 12/15 - Red Line & Purple Line 
• Tuesday, 12/18 - Red Line 
• Wednesday, 12/19 - Purple Line 
• Saturday, 12/22 - Red Line & Purple Line

No schedule yet, but the CTA's page says:  "The train generally operates from about 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on select weekdays (schedules for each rail line will vary), and will make stops at all stations along the respective routes."  An exact schedule should be posted shortly.

Tree-mendous

If you haven't had a chance yet, be sure to check out the gorgeous tree and the other decorations at Baker & Nosh.  The Baking Noshing folks tell us there were close to 100 people in the garden (at Malden and Wilson) for the tree lighting ceremony last Friday, and they're already trying to think of way to outdo themselves for next year.  Thank you to them and to everyone who puts up decorations that make Uptown brighter and cozier for the holidays.

"The Paper Machete" Now At Green Mill

By Lara Levitan
Gapers Block

When writer/performer Christopher Piatt first conceived of the "live magazine" phenomenon known as The Paper Machete, he envisioned it hosted at the Green Mill, where the nightly jazz, the twinkling green lights, and the ghosts of gangsters past linger in every smoky corner. And beginning Saturday, December 1--after three rigorous years hosting and producing The Paper Machete at various Lincoln Square bars--Piatt's vision is realized as he takes his weekly "salon in a saloon" to the Green Mill with headliner Katie Rich of the Second City mainstage.
"I'm beside myself," said Piatt. "But I have a lot of work ahead of me."
Not that he doesn't already have a lot of work behind him. Piatt's been hosting and producing The Paper Machete, an aptly-described "part spoken-word show, part vaudeville revue" for nearly three years. It's a project he dove into full throttle after leaving his post at TimeOut Chicago, where he worked as a theatre critic and editor for five years. Upon leaving TimeOut, Piatt felt destined to put on a show of his own, but he found himself irrevocably "hard-wired" to the pace of a weekly magazine.Continue Reading at Gapers Block

Volunteer Opportunity At Stockton School

Dover Street Neighbors Association (DSNA) has been helping Stockton School, located at Montrose and Beacon, reorganize its library.  Stockton had to pack up the entire library over the summer so that new carpeting could be installed.  Two neighbors, who are retired CPL librarians, took on the initial task of going through the boxes and putting some semblance of order to them.  Now, the books are ready to be shelved.  

DSNA has scheduled a volunteer afternoon in the Stockton library this coming Friday, December 7th, from noon-5pm.  Joanne, DSNA's president, welcomes anyone who is interested in helping.  If you are free for any length of time within this time frame and would like to help, please email Joanne.

Los Manos Gallery Relocates: Grand Re-Opening Friday Night

Las Manos Gallery celebrates its reopening on Friday, December 7th from 6-10pm. The business has relocated to 1515 W. Foster Ave. in Andersonville after losing its lease on Clark Street.

Las Manos Gallery moved to the community in 1994, bringing with it the culture that helped create the vibrant Andersonville of today. It was one of the first aesthetic pioneers in the area, paving the way for many design-based businesses.

The gallery was forced out of its home on Clark Street after almost two decades in Andersonville. It was first located on Balmoral Avenue for five years, then at its last location for nearly 15. At first it seemed that the business had to close for good - finding an affordable storefront in the neighborhood has almost become as rare as an empty one. After a month of no hope, several people in the community pointed out a space at 1515 W. Foster Avenue, right around the corner from the gallery’s old location. Though half the size, the potential to start again was tempting enough snap up the lease.

What makes this spot so enticing is the large enclosed courtyard behind it. Plans for sculpture gardens, film festivals, poetry slams and parties are all on next year's schedule. There is a lot of work to be done before these events can happen, but the gallery is well on its way - thanks to the many volunteers that have donated their time already. Clients and artists alike wielded sledgehammers, drills, saws and sanders. Without their enthusiasm the gallery would not have reopened. Las Manos’ emerging and professional artists have transitioned with us as well. Without them the gallery would not be able to continue hosting exhibitions, fundraisers and events that help keep Andersonville a cultural destination in Chicago.

Our Reopening Celebration and Exhibition will take place on Friday, December 7th from 6-10pm. New works by gallery owner Michelle Peterson-Albandoz and artists Michael McGuire, Doug Reyes, Juan Fernandez, E.C. and Mieke Zuiderweg will be on display.

The gallery will also participate in Andersonville’s Late Night and Late-er Night events on Friday, November 30th and Friday, December 14th from 6-10pm.

Buena Park Dog Shot By Police Officer

We've been hearing about this incident from various sources, and BPN posted a summary to its Facebook page.  Very disturbing to hear about, and we are eager to hear the police version of the incident (because there are always two sides to a story):

"I thought I'd give you all a heads up on something that happened yesterday. At approximately 3pm yesterday afternoon, a 20 pound English Bull Terrier [UU Note:  An English Bull Terrier is not what is commonly thought of as a pit bull.  Imagine Spuds Mackenzie.  Imagine Target's mascot.  That's the breed of dog we're talking about in this case] belonging to Al and Barb Phillips of West Buena (they own World Gym) was shot by a Chicago Policeman. The dog had 6 hours of surgery and is still alive.

At approximately 3pm yesterday, [Al] noticed that a policeman was writing a parking ticket on his vehicle that was parked in front of his own driveway. He came out to talk to the policeman and his dog followed him through the gate, and according to Al, made no threatening gestures. At that point, the policeman pulled out his 9mm and fired two shots severely injuring the dog and then went back to writing the ticket. Apparently there were 10 or so witnesses. Other police showed up shortly and when Al reported what happened, the one in charge indicated that the policeman who fired was following proper procedure.

I don't know any more than this and have not heard the police's side, however, whenever a lethal weapon is discharged in our neighborhood we should be concerned. And, I must admit, I'm having a hard time understanding how a grown man could feel threatened by such a small dog particularly when the owner is standing by.

I am encouraging people to attend the C.A.P.S meeting this Thursday at 7pm at the Library on Buena to hear what CPD has to say about this."

More Details Emerge On Friday Night's Shootings and Murder

Ald. Osterman has released a statement on last night's violence:

"Last night two separate shootings occurred in our community. On the 5200 block of Winthrop, around 8:15pm, a victim was shot in what is believed to be a drug-related crime. A second and unrelated shooting occurred around 9:25pm on the 5000 block on Winthrop. This incident was gang-related and three individuals were shot, one fatally.

Chicago Police have two individuals in custody related to the second shooting and the guns have been recovered. Both shootings are under investigation and additional police units have been assigned to patrol our community.

My office will provide more information on these shootings on Monday. If anyone has information related to the crimes please email my office at Harry@48thward.org or call the Area North violent crimes unit at 312-744-8261. I want to thank the community members who called the police last night upon hearing gunshots and the police for responding so quickly."

There's further information in the Tribune, DNAinfo, and Edgeville Buzz.

Our sympathies to those who knew and loved the shooting victim, Aswell Selmon, age 46.

Red Letter Day: Red Line Lawrence Reopens

Lost last night in all the commotion:  Something very good happened.

After six weeks of restoration and rehab, the Lawrence Red Line station reopened.  According to the workers there, there are still some touch-ups to be done, and we can't wait for the pigeon netting to go up, since those feathered fiends are already making themselves at home in the newly painted peach rafters.

No more prison camp chain link fence!  Huzzah!

We couldn't take any more photos than the three above, since the security guard was already being kind enough to ignore us blatantly breaking the CTA rules about flash photography, but if you'd like to see more, please go to CTA Station Watch's Lawrence Facebook page, or to the CTA's Flickr page (go to the end to see the most recent photos).

Two down (mostly) -- Argyle and Lawrence. 

Next up:  the biggie, the Grand Kahuna, the Godfather of Uptown Transit.... Wilson in the spring.