Mark Your Calendars: Andersonville Arts Weekend

The 6th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend will be held October 3rd - 5th. Check back here or with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce for more info as it is released.

Chick-ago Social

The inaugural lesbian dance party takes over an Andersonville parking lot (across the street from T’s Restaurant) with live music by singer-songwriter Tamara Bedricky and cover bands Catfight and The Play Doctors. Also, get $5 Miller beers and Stoli cocktails. DJ Dave spins. Rain or shine. 3 p.m. Saturday. $5-$10. Clark Street and Winnemac Avenue.

Source: Metromix.com

Asking Edgewater: What became of the Piser Funeral Home?

This funeral home on Broadway, just north of Foster has sat empty for as long as I can remember. I'm curious if anyone has any insight on why it closed and what the future may hold for it? After a simple search on the internet, the only activity I could find was a proposed 5-story condo development with underground parking proposed by a developer in 2005. Apparently that project did not get approved or move forward.

Update to St. Ita’s Parish Priest Story

As previously reported on the Edgewater Crime Blotter, Rev. Steven Patte of St. Ita's has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars of church funds. The pastor was jailed today, with bond set at $25,000. If convicted, Patte would face a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Check out the full story in the Chicago Sun Times

Edgewater Community Council Housing/Safety Committee Meeting Reminder

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 7:00PM
ECC Offices at 6044 N. Broadway, Chicago

Focus of the meeting:
Criminal Activity on the 5700 Block of North Winthrop
Report by the Thorndale Action Task ForceIt is an open meeting.

Ladies, Beware!!!

Chicago Police Area 3 Detectives have issued a warning to females in the Edgewater and Lakeview neighborhoods to be aware of their surroundings at night due to a sexual predator reportedly on the loose. Recently, there have been attacks at 5600 N. Wayne and 2400 W. Bryn Mawr.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his mid-30s with an olive complexion, 5 foot 8 inches tall, and 185 pounds. His hair and eyes are described as brown in color. The man apparently approaches women from behind and makes unwanted sexual contact.

Source: Chicago Journal

Edgewater Beach Robbery Suspect Photos Released

Chicago police have released surveillance photos of a suspect in the armed robbery of a store in the 1100 block of W. Berwyn Ave., which occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 13th. Area business owners have been asked to be on the alert. Anyone with information about this suspect or the robbery itself is urged to call Belmont Area detectives at (312) 744-8263.

Does anyone happen to know what business was robbed?

Article

Bicyclists: Stay off those sidewalks

According to CBS2, Chicago Police officials from the Lincoln District will be on the lookout for bicyclists riding on the sidewalks in the Edgewater neighborhood, specifically at the Ardmore/Sheridan intersection. Citations will not be given out, as the campain is designed to put the emphasis on safety and be informational and hopefully change behaviors.

Inside The Edgewater Medical Center

The Edgewater Medical Center, located at 5700 N. Ashland Ave. has been permanently closed since 2001. Many of its staff (including doctors) were found guilty of committing Medicare fraud, which resulted in the facility being shuttered. There were some very unethical and relatively creepy things going on there.

I'm very interested in urban exploration, and have always wanted to check this place out. I recently discovered that someone had the opportunity to do just that, though I'm not sure how they were able to gain access. At any rate, they took some excellent shots of the place that you can check out here....

Photos

Good Evening, Edgewater

7:17, Location not specified - Caller says someone is throwing bottles as passersby.

7:20, 6753 N. ??? - Dogfighting, 2 males are fighting dogs.

7:31, 1307 W. Morse - Homeless lady wants to talk to the police about a hooker.

7:47, 4943 N. Kenmore - Loitering dispersal of 2 people.

7:53, Jewel store (address not specified) - "57 year old female off her meds having an episode."

7:54, 6138 N. Claremont - Battery in progress, female caller states her neighbor attacked her.

8:02, Lawrence and Sheridan - Report of 3 shots fired from a red car in the JJ Peppers parking lot. Unit at Ainslie and Sheridan reports they did not hear anything.

8:10, Fairfield and Devon - Gang disturbance.

8:14, 6107 N. Hoyne - Report of a man with a gun. Suspect is a black male standing with another black male in the alley.

8:18, Morse Ave. - "Quality of Life" mission. Not sure what this is, but it sounds like a general cleanup of the area.

9:01, 6651 N. Clark - Narcotics dispersal.

9:19, Touhy and Glenwood - Attempted sexual assault. Male black grabbed a woman and attempted to rip her clothes off. Victim was able to break free, the offender then fled south on Glenwood. He is wearing a white shirt and black do-rag.

9:29, 5303 N. Kenmore - Disturbance with a neighbor who keeps ringing the doorbell.

Public Open House of new Edgewater firestation

Mayor Daley and the Chicago Fire Department invite you to tour the new Engine Company 70 Firehouse

Saturday, August 16, 2008

9:30am to 12:30pm

6030 N. Clark Street

Tour the facility

Activities for children

Refreshments

Man Charged in Edgewater Motel Killing

Edward Gibson, 57, of Chicago's South Side has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a woman whose body was found stuffed in a closet of an Edgewater motel room in May. A manager of the motel at 920 W Foster found the body of a woman, who had apparently suffered blunt force trauma from an assault, in a closet of one of the motel rooms.

2 Injured In Edgewater Apartment Building Fire

Two people were injured in an apartment fire Tuesday morning @ 5930 N Ravenswood. Click here to read the CBS2 story: http://cbs2chicago.com/local/ravenswood.avenue.fire.2.793357.html

Man Found Floating In Lake Committed Suicide

A body of a man who committed suicide was found in Lake Michigan near Foster Beach Tuesday evening. This was first reported to us by Craig at the "Broken Heart" and the Chicago Tribune. Further coverage can be found here by NBC5: http://www.nbc5.com/news/17178383/detail.html.

Mayor Daley and Alderman Smith to Dedicate the Bricolage

Mayor Richard M. Daley and Alderman Mary Ann Smith will place the final two tiles to complete Phase II of the Bryn Mawr Bricolage on Saturday, August 16. Everyone is invited to join in this celebration of community. The event will begin with refreshments at 8:30 a.m.; the program will start at 9:00 a.m. sharp. The 185-foot long mural, on the south wall of the Bryn Mawr underpass of Lake Shore Drive, completes the gateway to the Bryn Mawr Historic District. Titled "Growing," the direct-application mosaic is a tribute to the 48th Ward and the history of its residents. More than 400 people participated in planning and constructing the bricolage. Parking for the dedication is available at the St. Andrew's Church lot on Sheridan Road, one-half block north of Bryn Mawr.

Bike Skills Day August 22

Kids 14 and under can learn new bike skills, ride an obstacle course and have a chance to win a free bike at Bike Skills Day, Friday, August 22, 10 a.m. - noon, at 1200 W. Norwood (in front of True Nature Foods). Safe Kids Chicago, Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors, the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and Alderman Mary Ann Smith are sponsoring the event which also will feature bike check-ups, helmet fitting, basic bike maintenance and repair.

Goudy Named Technology Magnet School

The Chicago Public Schools has named Goudy Elementary one of 15 new "Technology Magnet Schools." The designation gives Goudy funding to purchase professional development for teachers to help them successfully integrate technology into their classroom instruction. Goudy principal Pamela Brandt stated that becoming part of the Technology Magnet School initiative will help support Goudy's long range goal of preparing their students to be productive and successful citizens by ensuring that they have acquired the 21st century skills necessary to do so. The Goudy faculty believes that it is crucial that they recognize and develop digital media literacy as an essential component of their students' continued academic success.

Chicago gets $2 million in federal funds to curb gangs

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that officials today announced that at least $2 million in federal anti-gang funds has been pledged to organizations in Chicago. The money will go toward prevention, law enforcement and prisoner re-entry programs that provide job training and placement according to Deputy Atty. Gen. Mark Filip and Chicago's U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald.

Read the Tribune article here

Shots Fired, One Wounded, Police on the Scene

Thanks to Craig for the heads up of this afternoon's unfortunate shooting in Edgewater. Shots were fired at 5432 North Winthrop and possibly at the Catalpa and Winthrop intersection as well. One female was hit in the arm with a bullet, and is in fair condition. Witnesses say two male blacks, white tee shirts were seen fleeing the scene. Victim may know offenders. About half the street is currently blocked off by Chicago PD squad cars and crime scene tape on Winthrop between Balmoral and Catalpa. Tried to snap a shot of the scene with my camera phone but it did not come out, unfortunately.

5:20pm - A total of six 911calls came in, it appears most were annonymous as the detectives are seeking more information from witnesses on the scanner.

Priest Indicted After Theft Of Over $10,000 From Edgewater Church

Reverend Steven Patte was indicted today after a 3-year investigation prompted by suspicious members of St. Ita's Roman Catholic Church at 5500 N. Broadway. Apparently the Good Father has been sinning. Did the devil make him do it?

Chicago Tribune Article

Sexual Assault and other Edgewater crimes in the Chicago Journal Police Blotter

Sexual Assault

A 25-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on the 5600 block of North Wayne around 11:30 p.m. July 20. The incident was not reported until July 24, after 20th District police sent the victim to the 24th District police station. According to the victim, a man in his late 20s grabbed her shoulder from behind and pulled the victim towards him. As the man pulled the victim backwards, he slid his hand under her dress and began fondling her. The victim screamed and swung at the man, but missed. The man stared at her a moment, then walked away southbound on Wayne. The victim was not injured.

Pulled from car
While he was waiting for the light to change at Clark and Bryn Mawr, four men in their 20s tried to pull a 26-year-old man from his car around 1 a.m. July 30. The victim got out of his car to defend himself. The men grabbed the victim's cell phone. A taxi cab driver got out of his car and tried to help the victim. The men dropped the victim's cell phone and fled westbound behind the Jewel Food Store.

Big stick assault
A 46-year-old man was arrested for aggravated assault after he allegedly chased a 42-year-old woman with a big stick on the 1000 block of West Ardmore around 4:55 a.m. July 24. The victim told police the man waved a wooden stick at her, then chased her with it. Charged with aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon is Patrick Barnes, 46, of Calumet Park. He has an Aug. 27 court date.

Dog living by himself
A building manager contacted police after noticing that a tenant's window was open and the blinds broken in a building on the 5800 block of North Sheridan Road. The call to police came around 10:15 p.m. July 21. According to the police report, the building manager let police into the apartment where they found "a dog living by himself." The tenant's apartment also appeared ransacked. Police contacted animal control to assist with the dog.

Jacuzzis jacked
A 65-year-old man discovered that the rear door to his son-in-law's building on the 1200 block of West Winnemac had been kicked in sometime before 11 a.m. July 22. Thieves stole two Jacuzzis and an unknown amount of sewer piping from the building which is under construction.

Source:

Tour the Indian Delights of Devon Avenue

August 9 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

While Devon Avenue's surrounding neighborhoods feature many cultures, this tour spotlights the area’s vibrant Indian community. It begins with a traditional welcome at the Indo-AmericanCenter. On a guided walking tour, you can shop international grocery stores, delis, jewelers and saristores. Revisit the Indo-American Center for a discussion of Indian culture in Chicago, and a traditional Indian dance and sari-wrapping demonstration.

Highlights include:

Traditional Indian Welcome, Discussion/Dance/Demonstration at the Indo-American Center, Guided Walking Tour of Devon Avenue, Light Refreshments

To Purchase tickets visit http://www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com/

10,000+ HIT MILESTONE REACHED!!!!!!!!!!

The Edgewater Crime Blotter has received over 10,000 hits since its inception. We thank everyone who visits this site frequently, and those who just somehow stumbled upon us. Again, we look to your feedback. What more can we do to assist & inform our Edgewater neighbors? Do you prefer the area updates and events? Do you enjoy the crime blotting? Any ideas how we can get to 100,000 hits?

Wednesday evening

8:41pm, 6000 N Kenmore - man with knife reported on the street. Also a suspicious persons call about a hispanic male and black male in a nearby location (Glenlake & Kenmore?), may be arguing and one man is reaching into his pocket like he may have a weapon.

8:44pm, Officer has spotted the man in question from 8:41pm post.

8:51pm, Thorndale & Winthrop - disturbance reported with one of the street vendors.

8:52pm, Ainsle - Stolen vehicle, dark green 97 Toyota Corrola. This was a delivery vehicle and it was left running.

8:55pm, 4919 N Damen - Battery in progress, two males fighting.

8:56pm, 55 W Hollywood - man wants his roomate removed.

8:56pm, Paulina & Lunt - gang disturbance reported.

9:02pm, 1253 W Pratt - burglary in progress.

9:07pm, 6407 N Levitt - store robbed by black male, cream jacket/sweatshirt, bald head, armed with a gun.

9:10pm, update to 9:07pm - man fled eastbound in an alley just north of Devon. Owner said he had braids (said he was bald earlier), about 21 years old, 5'4, slim build, mustache has a revolver-like gun, and took $230 in cash. Another update, no braids - owner of store is shaken up and hard to understand.

9:13pm, man is spotted in a white Crown Victoria at Belle & Devon.

9:14pm, man apprehended and in custody. Weapon also recovered.

9:16pm, 4917 N Damen - disturbance in progress. People yelling and screaming.

We Are Back

Our power was restored this morning around 1:00 AM. We're looking forward to being able to listen to the scanner again!

Serious Storms Roll Through Edgewater and Beyond

The above photo was taken during last night's craziness. At the time of this post we are still without power at the Edgewater Crime Blotter's home base. We watched last night's storms approach from the west under an eerie, low hanging, pinkish green sky. Things were strangely still prior to the storm hitting, and we considered taking shelter in the basement. The tornado sirens could be heard coming from the directions of both Uptown and Rogers Park. I am anticipating the power coming back on soon, but not counting on it!

Andersonville Sidewalk Sale

This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is the Andersonville Sidewalk Sale. Various shops from 5000-5800 N Clark will be offering bargains on their goods on their sidewalks. Check out this flyer for a complete list of participating businesses:

http://www.andersonville.org/images/sidewalk_sale_poster_08.pdf