Police Action at Thorndale and Broadway

I notice a relatively heavy police presence and a lot of activity near this intersection, so I'd like to ask our readers if they know what's going on. Is the area a gang hot spot? For example, I got off the Red Line at the Thorndale stop yesterday evening, and a police car was idling under the El tracks. Within a few seconds, the officer did a quick U-turn, switched on his lights and siren and headed east. He appeared to be stopping some youths near the corner of Thorndale and Winthrop.

About an hour later, I was returning to the Thorndale stop and saw 2 police cars in the Broadway Armory parking lot. Several officers had a few youths spread out on the hood of one of the police cars and they were frisking them. I wanted to get a picture but couldn't get a clear shot.

I see a lot of police in marked and sometimes unmarked units converging on this area on a regular basis, often detaining the youths that loiter under the El tracks and on the street.

Thoughts?

Dining Out for Life

The 16th Annual Dining Out for Life in Chicago is on April 30, 2009. Chicagoland restaurants will come together and celebrate good food, good friends and a good cause. Joined with 55 cities across the United States and Canada, this is the single largest HIV/AIDS benefit in the country. Last year Chicago raised over $80,000 to benefit AIDSCARE and spread awareness to hundreds of corporations, neighbors, and friends. Dine Out. Fight AIDS. www.aidscarechicago.org

The follow restaurants in Edgewater/Andersonville are participating:
Broadway Cellars (Platinum Sponsor)-->Tel: 773-944-1208
Anteprima (Gold Sponsor)-->Tel: 773-751-0153
Big Jones (Gold Sponsor)-->Tel: 773-275-5725
Hamburger Mary's (Gold Sponsor)-->Tel: 773-784-6969
Jin Ju Restaurant (Gold Sponsor)-->l: 773-334-6377
La Donna Italian Restaurant (Gold Sponsor)-->Tel: 773-561-9400
La Tache (Gold Sponsor)-->Tel: 773-334-7168
For a complete list of participating restuarants check out: http://www.diningoutforlife.com/Chicago/participating

Special Flood Insurance Meeting

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Il Senator Heather Steans
and the Assn. of Sheridan Condo/Co-op Owners present:
A Special Meeting for Unit Owners and Managers in buildings on

Sheridan Road in Edgewater with a representative of FEMA
May 4th - 4:00 p.m.
Emanuel Congregation - 5959 N. Sheridan Road
Free Admission, Free Parking

Support for CVS

A reader writes in the following praise for the new CVS at Foster & Broadway:

"At a time in our lives when we can all use some friendliness in stores, I've actually found one that delivers not only friendliness, but courtesy helpfulness and caring! IT'S CVS AT FOSTER AND BROADWAY! WE NEED TO GIVE CVS AT BROADWAY AND FOSSTER SOME SUPPORT!.....The store is clean, the staff is friendly, the prices are right, and the merchandise is VERY WELL DISPLAYED! They opened in August, and I'm not sure how well they're doing, but both times that I was there (Saturday and Sunday), there weren't a LOT of customers. Perhaps at other times of the day, they are more busy!...This store is UNBELIEVABLE. I am so impressed that I'm calling their Headquarters to compliment them on their AMAZINGLY FRIENDLY AND COURTEOUS STAFF as well as the store's CLEANLINESS and beautifully displayed merchandise! (1-800746-7287) This GEM that I found in our neighborhood deserves our support!"

We concur with their assessment of a clean store with friendly staff , which unfortunately seems to be fairly empty at most times...lets do our part and support CVS in hopes that they stick around.

If you have had a good or bad experience with an Edgewater establishment that you would like to share, email us at hollywoodbeach60640@gmail.com

Edgewater Sees Increase in Real Estate Transaction Volume

According to Re/Max Northern Illinios, the Edgewater neighborhood was one of only two Chicago neighborhoods on the north side which saw an increase in home sales. Two factors contributed to the increase - growing demand by first-time buyers and investors for distressed properties & home affordability has increased more dramatically due to recent price reductions. Read the entire Re/Max Northern Illinois press release here.

Andersonville Wine Walk

Co-sponsored by In Fine Spirits and the Andersonville Development Corporation
TICKETS: $25 in advance, $30 day of the event Click here to buy tickets!
Your specially-printed wine glass is your ticket and allows you to enjoy wine tastings at 22 Andersonville retail locations.
DESTINATIONS:baan home * Brimfield * City Olive * Continuum Studio * The Cottage * Equinox * FOURSIDED * George Lowell * Green Genes * GreenSky * The Landmark of Andersonville * Painted Light Photography and Framing Gallery * Red Balloon * Room Service * Roost * Runner's Edge * Scout * Sir Spa * Urbanest * White Attic * Women & Children First * The Wooden Spoon
All proceeds benefit eco-Andersonville and the other fine programs of the Andersonville Development Corp.
5356 N. Clark St, 2nd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60640
773-728-7552

www.andersonvilledevcorp.org

www.eco-Andersonville.org

Chilly Tuesday Night

6:58 PM, Farragut and Ravenswood - Report of kids playing on the Metra tracks.

7:01, 1645 W. Jonquil - Narcotics related dispersal of 2 people.

7:12, 5900 N. Glenwood - Male cyclist struck by a vehicle, EMS requested.

7:49, 5700 N. Artesian - Concerned caller reports a uspicious person in the alley. Hispanic male was seen prowling through gangways and backyards.

7:56, 5800 N. Campbell - The original caller called back to say that the man is still prowling yards.

9:11, Broadway and Bryn Mawr - Report of selling going on at the corner.

9:25, 5700 N. Washtenaw - Suspicious person.

9:33, 5625 N. Ridge (Walgreens) - Disturbance near the store. Responding unit says they have someone stopped who is likely related to the disturbance.

10:31, 6822 N. Ashland - Woman says her boyfriend beat her up, now she is waiting in front of the building.

Enterprise: The We'll Let You Down Company

We figure we should share the bad, not just the good reviews from the neighborhood....a reader writes in:


"I have had nothing but horrible experiences with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car location at 5313 N Sheridan (near Berwyn). Countless times I have made reservations way in advance only to show up to be told they have no cars available. I have often been left to either wait for long periods of time in their small, uncomfortable waiting room or scrambling to make alternate travel plans. At one point I even got so frustrated I called their corporate customer service line to complain, only to get the run around from an Area Manager who said he would compensate me for my experience only to never hear from them (I was thinking a free rental or upgrade coupon or SOMETHING). It is unfortunate because this is really the only rental car option near the lake, the prices are reasonable, and I have had good experiences with Enterprise at other locations. However, I have been burned way too many times and had plans messed up and will never return to this location and will not rent from Enterprise again in the future."



Sounds to us like the classic Seinfeld episode: See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation and that's really the most important part of the reservation, the holding. Anybodycan just take them.

Spring Theatre Party

Friday, May 1 at the Raven Theater (6157 N Clark St.)
6:30 PM: Hors d'oeuvres & libations7:30 PM: Curtain
$35 ECC Members & Seniors$40 General Public
Call 773-334-5609 for reservations.

Unbuilt Projects and Fantasy Designs

This weekend, Edgewater Historical Society Museum is hosting Thom Greene’s collection of designs, sketches, and renderings. The exhibition will run from April 24 until June 6, 2009. The first half of the collection, created over the past 20 years, consists of unbuilt designs and concepts for various sites within the Edgewater and Chicago area that have not been realized. “Fantasy Architecture”, the second part of the exhibit, covers 31 years of intriguing creations ranging from high-rise works of imagination to highly stylized architectural oddities. The main thread that ties these two diverse bodies of work together is Thom Greene’s compelling rendering skills, practical sensibility, artistic style, and flare for color and form.

State of the State

The 48th Ward Democrats Invite You

THE STATE OF OUR STATE

HEATHER STEANS AND HARRY OSTERMAN

Present a Springfield Update


April 27th 7:00 p.m.

St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan

Free Admission, Free Parking

Check Out The ECC's Housing and Safety Blog

The Housing and Safety Committee "works to further the quality of life in Edgewater by promoting best practices for landlords, tenants, condo owners, and homeowners. We also work closely with the local police to help protect our neighborhood and build the relationships between us."

Thursday Evening

6:44 PM, Broadway and Berwyn (Jewel) - Battery in progress. Adult male shoplifter fighting with security. 2 units en route with sirens.

6:46 - A slowdown is given on the battery call as units have arrived.

7:11, Thorndale Red Line stop - El check.

7:16, 5009 N. Sheridan - Bomb threat at Somerset residential building. A man called 911 from a payphone on the 8th floor and said there is a bomb in the building.

8:18, 6740 N. Clark (McDonald's) Restaurant staff called in to say a male has locked himself in the restroom and won't come out.

8:29, 1237 W. Carmen - Burglary in progress. Neighbor called to say that a door is standing open.

8:34 - A disregard is given on the burglary call.

Shots Fired at Devon and Damen

5:53 PM, Morse Red Line stop - El check.

5:55, 2600 W. Winona - Residential burglary confirmed, evidence tech requested.

5:59, Broadway and Berwyn (Jewel) - Woman says her husband walked off with some men he met in the store and has disappeared.

6:08, 5350 N. Washtenaw - Gang disturbance. 5-6 Hispanic males loitering in the alley.

6:23, Clark St. and Rogers Ave. - A gold Chevy with several black males in it driving around Ashland Park as well as Pottawatomie Park, the occupants of the vehicle reportedly have guns.

6:27 - Officer has visual ID on a gold Chevy Impala northbound about 3 blocks north of Howard. Dispatcher is asking for other units to be on alert.

6:30 - Park supervisor at Ashland Park says he has been outside and did not seeing anything going on. Officer following the Impala calls a false alarm.

6:33, 1600 W. Greenleaf - Gang dispersal.

6:36, Catalpa and Magnolia - 2 homeless men appear to be scoping the block.

6:40, 5700 N. Sheridan - Man with a red Afro is yelling at passing cars in the intersection.

6:42, 5254 N. Campbell - Man just walked into the building with no pants on.

6:49, 5550 N. Kenmore - An unknown black male threatened the caller with a fist, and attempted to take her bags. Apparently she resisted, and the suspect is now headed eastbound.

6:53, Ashland and Greenleaf - A wagon and at least 2 units are en route to break up about 10 kids fighting in the street.

7:00, Devon and Damen - Report of shots fired.

7:03 - A slowdown is given on the shots fired call.

7:04, 6522 N. Damen - Female caller says that her vehicle appears to have bullet holes in it.

Also from the ECC: Condo Owner Workshop

ECC Spring Theatre Party

Care For Real secures additional space as membership triples

In an email to the community, Care For Real announced that they will take 750 sq ft of space at the Epworth Church located at Kenmore and Berwyn. CFR required the additional space as it has seen the number of families it is serving triple over the last 18 months. The new location will be used for clothing and household goods distribution, while food distribution, active case management and administration will continue at 6044 N Broadway. Donations will only be accepted at the Broadway location.

Uptown Pub Crawl, Friday May 1st

The Uptown Chicago Commission's 2nd Annual Pub Crawl should shape up to be a fun time at some excellent Uptown establishments.

It starts at Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway) around 7:30 PM.

Did The Clarovista Get New Landscaping?

I noticed that a Flickr user posted this photo, and it really caught my eye. Apparently someone dumped a nasty old mattress here on Granville immediately east of Broadway. I doubt this is first time this has occurred, because the same thing happens with irregular frequency up and down the alley running behind Winthrop Ave. Has anyone else witnessed these random mattress dumpings in other areas of Edgewater?

Ethics Meeting Tonight at Loyola

Don't forget that tonight is the Ethics Town Hall Meeting which is being hosted by Senator Heather Steans and State Representative Harry Osterman. If you'd like to attend, the meeting is scheduled to run from 7-9 PM at Loyola University's Mundelein Center located at 1020 W. Sheridan Rd.

Dominick's follow up meeting location announced

Meeting Date:
April 15, 2009

Meeting Time:
7PM

Meeting Location:
The Breakers
5333 N Sheridan
The show room meeting space

City of Chicago Internships & Summer Jobs

From the office of Mary Ann Smith:

Apply Now for Summer Jobs

This year there will be more opportunities for youth ages 14 to 24 to get summer jobs with City agencies, private businesses, community-based organizations and even Chicago 2016.

The Chicago 2016 Summer Internship Program is targeted to offer college students work experience in their intended field of study with the opportunity to earn college credit. This program pays a modest stipend to cover transportation and lunch expenses. To apply, resumes should be sent to internships@chicago2016.org. The deadline is April 15 at 5:00 p.m.

The City offers both paid and unpaid summer internships in a variety of City departments and agencies. There is a common applicant pool, and only one on-line application is needed to be considered for all available positions. Go to the City Department of Human Resources and click on the internship link under "alerts."

Mayor Daley's Youth Ready Chicago program connects young people, ages 14 - 24, with paid internships, apprenticeships and jobs within Chicago's public and private business sectors. Each opportunity offers youth hands-on experience and an opportunity to gain marketable skills, supporting a successful transition from school into the workforce. To be considered, you need to apply online at the program's website.

Brown Elephant Resale Shop Featured on Time's Website

Andersonville's The Brown Elephant (5404 N. Clark) recently appeared on Time Magazine's website for a feature titled Chicago: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours. For those that are unaware of The Brown Elephant, it is a resale shop located in the 1920s-era Calo Theater which benefits AIDS research and the Howard Brown health center.

Drunken Edgewater man charged with punching paramedic

Photo courtesy of Chicago Sun Times

An Edgewater man has been charged with aggravated battery to first aid personnel, a felony, after allegedly punching a paramedic in the face during a drunken disturbance at a Wrigleyville bar late Saturday. The suspect, Anthony O'Sullivan, 35, of the 6100 block of North Winthrop Avenue, was scheduled to appear in bond court on Monday.

Read more about this story:

CBS2 Chicago

Chicago Sun Times

Quigley Wins 5th Congressional District Seat in Special Election

Democratic Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, 50, will replace Rahm Emanuel in Congress. Quigley took approximately 70 percent of the vote against opponents Rosanna Pulido (Republican) and Matt Reichel (Green Party).

Dominick's Follow Up Meeting on April 15th

The Edgewater Development Corporation will host a follow up meeting next Wednesday evening to discuss the new Dominick's store that has been proposed for the corner of Sheridan and Foster. The meeting location is yet to be announced, however we will provide an update once we find out where it will happen.

Ethics Town Hall Event at Loyola on April 16th

A representative from Senator Heather Steans office recently notified us about this event, which is scheduled for next Thursday evening.

Senator Steans and State Representative Harry Osterman are significant co-sponsors of two major Illinois ethics reform bills. The Senator's office tells us that Author Scott Turow will be in attendance along with Cindi Canary, who is the Executive Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

Co-sponsoring organizations include: Northside Democracy for America, Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization,League of Women Voters Chicago, Citizen Action/Illinois, Loyola University, Emanuel Congregation, Rogers Park Community Council, Edgewater Community Council, Loyola Inside Government, Loyola College Democrats, and more.

The Lipstick Killer?

William Heirens is a convicted burglar and serial killer who operated in Edgewater, Rogers Park, Uptown and Lakeview during the 1940s. A home that once stood on the northeast corner lot at Thorndale and Kenmore was a primary focus during the investigation. This link provides the sensational details of the story while TruTv.com provides a more fact based case study.

Funk @ Flourish

More details at the Tuesday Funk blog.

Edgewater Gaming Store Proving Very Popular

Chicagoland Games opened at 1207 W. Bryn Mawr this past October, and has really taken off! The store attracts fantasy gamers and role playing enthusiasts interested in games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Call of Cthulu and many others. The store hosts special events, meet-ups and tournaments. There is no charge for players to participate, but many of them patronize the store as it offers an excellent range of gaming supplies.

Personally, I think it's great to see a unique business such as this one doing well. If you're into this particular gaming scene you should definitely check it out.

The Chicago Tribune also ran a feature story on Chicagoland Games this week.

Get 'yo rummage on!

Title: Rummage Sale
Location: St Andrew’s Church; 5649 N Sheridan Road, Chicago (corner of Hollywood and Sheridan Road)
*When*: Saturday April 4th from 10AM - 4PM
Description: It's Spring and we have cleaned out our dining room hutches, attics and basements. Come browse through our eclectic items at our Rummage Sale. Books, dishes, jewelry, small appliances, knick knacks, CDs, DVDs and more. Free parking on site. Proceeds to benefit Philoptochos local chapter - St Andrew's in Chicago.

Concerted Action Forces Changes at Bad Buildings

From the 48th Ward email blast:
Alderman Smith continues to hammer away at bad building owners through housing court, removing city subsidies and organizing and educating tenants in such buildings who otherwise would be afraid to speak up.

5718 N. Winthrop is one example of the community working together to force a bad owner to improve the conditions at his building. In conjunction with the Edgewater Community Council, Alderman Smith was able to pull $53,000 in annual subsidies from the building and its owner and reallocate that money to responsible landlords. Court advocates regularly attend housing court hearings for this building, where over 60 building code violations are being addressed, to make sure the judge and owner realize that safe, clean housing is a critical issue for our community.By the end of April, 20 tenants will have been relocated with the community's assistance from this dangerous building; whenever possible, they are staying within the Ward. A special thank-you to the men and women who helped us move these people over the past two months and to Care for Real for the use of its van and volunteers in this effort.

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on 5718 N. Winthrop in Housing Court and work to eliminate City subsidies for other 48th Ward buildings owned by this particular landlord. If anyone is interested in attending Housing Court with us as a court advocate, please contact dana@masmith48.org.

Zombie Pub Crawl

For more info: http://chicagozombiepubcrawl.com/