Inquiring minds want to know...

What is up with this apparently abandoned large building on the southwest corner of Hollywood & Kenmore? Every window/door on the first two levels are boarded up, and there are plenty of no trespassing signs. Was this a condo development gone bad? A shuttered seniors home? If you have any insight let us know in the "comments" section.

EDC-ECC Planning and Development meeting on Thursday, 9/3

The Edgewater Development Corporation and Edgwewater Community Council will be hosting a follow up meeting to continue the discussion for consideration to allow parking on the section of Ridge Ave. from North Clark St. south to W. Hollywood Ave. As many of you already know, the proposal would prohibit parking in this area from 8-9:30 AM and 5-7:00 PM and each day.

If you would like to attend the meeting, it will be held at 7:00 PM this Thursday evening at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway) in the first floor community room.

Indie Cafe

If you've yet to try Indie Cafe (located at 5951 N Broadway) or if you didn't even know it was there, then you're missing out. Located just north of Thorndale and across from St. Andrews Inn this asian restaurant specializes in both Japanese and Thai foods. Always busy on a Friday or Saturday night (reservations recommended if going during prime dining hours), the atmosphere is lively and the decor is kinda modern-funky-simplistic with some interesting flair including the unique light fixtures and art on the wall. The menu is almost two menus in one - the Japanese and Thai sections each have their own appetizers, soups and salads, and the Thai section adds Noodle, Rice and Curry dishes while the Japanese section adds Tereyaki and 3-4 pages of sushi and maki rolls (some with pictures). The quality of the food is high, presentation is creative and the service is attentive. Prices are reasonable, and BYOB makes it even more affordable for those who like a libation with their meal. If you don't trust us, most Yelpers give it 4 or 5 stars, but you'll probably be better off just checking it out yourself.

Edgewater Attacks @ 5300 N Broadway

Police announce charges in four street robberies
Officers early Wednesday arrested two men they saw committing a strong-arm robbery in the North Side's Edgewater neighborhood, and the two also have been charged in three other recent attacks, Chicago police said in a statement today.

Detectives were conducting surveillance in the 5300 block of North Broadway as part of a stepped-up effort against street robberies, according to the statement.

At about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, the detectives saw two men walking south on Broadway approach another man from behind. They punched the man in the back and threw him to the ground, taking his cell phone and cash before fleeing, police said. Continue reading

Corks & Crayons

click to enlarge

Priest forgets "Thou shall not steal," gets probation

Steve Patte, 65, was sentenced to four years of probation for stealing $40,000 from St. Ita's church in Edgewater. The Roman Catholic priest was transfering church funds to his personal account and issuing himself checks for reimbursement of expenses that never occurred. Patte apparently used the money on vacations, massages, and other personal expenses. He appologized in court - thankfully the good church forgives sinners.

Related articles: Chicago Sun Times, WBBM780

Aldi Opens

The new Aldi in the Clarovista condo building, located just steps from the Granville Red Line stop at 6221 N Broadway, opened yesterday. According to the Aldi website the store is open from 9AM - 7PM, will be having a Grand Opening tomorrow (8/27), and will be closed on Labor Day (9/7). Happy discount shopping!

Da Mayor and Alderman Dedicate Foster Bricolage

From Lake Effect News:

Indian Land Dancing
By LORRAINE SWANSON

Editor

Mayor Daley, Ald. Mary Ann Smith and tribal leaders were joined by hundreds of Edgewater residents Saturday morning for the dedication of the new bricolage mosaic in the Foster Avenue underpass at Lake Shore Drive.

“Indian Land Dancing” tells the history of Indians in Chicago with tiles, painted images, relief sculpture and photos incorporated into the mural. It based on a poem by poet E. Donald “Eddy” Two Rivers, an Uptown poet and performer who based many of his poems on childhood memories.

The stunning bricolage is the largest direct application mosaic of its kind in Chicago and the only piece of public art in Chicago designed by Native Americans. Smith thanked local tribes for contributing family photos that were embedded into bricolage. Continue reading this story

Neighborhood Nights finale, Monday August 31st

If you haven't been able to make it to one of the Neighborhood Nights events this summer, your last chance will be this coming Monday!

Edgewater Green Market continues each Saturday through October

Stop by the Edgewater Green Market at the intersection of Broadway and Norwood on Saturdays from 7AM to 1PM to browse amazing produce, flowers, clothing, crafts and other great offerings. The market will continue operating at this intersection near True Nature Foods (6034 N. Broadway), and is scheduled to run on a weekly basis through October.

Tax Assessment Seminar Tomorrow, August 25th

The Edgewater Community Council invites you to learn what it takes to put together a successful tax appeal. A seminar on the topic will take place tomorrow at 7:15 PM, and will include a speaker who is a former Cook County Board of Review tax decision deputy. The event will be held at Loyola University's Quinlan Life Science Auditorium located at 1036 W. Sheridan Rd.

Candlelight vigil @ Neighborhood Nights

Sad news from the EDC:

Dear Community Partners,

I am writing to inform you of the tragic loss to the Neighborhood Nights Team and the Edgewater Community. Mother and daughter Pamela Mojekwu and Christine Mojekwu were in a car incident early on Saturday, August 15, 2009.

Christine died that day. Her mother, Pamela, remains in the hospital in critical condition.

As was apparent to all who came, Pamela and Christine were the backbone of the Neighborhood Nights this summer, volunteering their time, energy, resources, and caring spirits.

They have also given generously to the Edgewater food pantry, Care for Real, volunteering regularly for the past three years.

We will begin next Monday's Neighborhood Night with a candlelight vigil, and will keep candles burning at the remainder of the Neighborhood Nights series.

Monday Night Antics

8:40 PM, 2421 W. Berwyn - Anonymous caller says a male and female are fighting in an apartment on the 3rd floor.

8:47, 4800 N. Ashland - Employees of the Shell station at this address want a panhandler removed from the premises.

8:47, Sheridan and Howard - Man claims his wife was carjacked/kidnapped from the gas station at this intersection. Car is a maroon 1995 Dodge Intrepid with a burned out taillight, and it reportedly headed southbound. Unit is on scene speaking with the caller.

8:51 - Another Officer reports that this man has made a similar claim before and may know the alleged "kidnapper(s)."

8:56, 5335 N. California - Female caller says her husband beat her and wants him removed from the residence.

9:16, Howard and Damen - Officer reports that he has spotted a red Dodge Intrepid matching the description of the car from the kidnapping call at 8:47. He wants to know if he should attempt to pull it over.

City takes the day off

Many city offices and services will be taking today off as a part of a three reduced-service days plan to help balance the 2009 city budget. City hall, libraries, garbage & street sweeping services and your local alderman's office will not be operating today as a part of the plan. Essential services such as police and fire will not be effected.

20th Ward - Safest?

From the Lake Effect News:

Stabbed On Berwyn El Platform
A 24-year-old man was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition after he was stabbed on the Berwyn el platform at 1118 W. Berwyn. Police found the victim at 2:30 a.m. Aug. 8. The victim was able to tell police that he was stabbed by four men in their late teens and early 20s after a verbal altercation. The man was listed in critical condition at the time of the report.

That’s Not Funny
While walking home from work around 1:10 a.m. Aug. 4, a 31-year-old man was punched in the nose and robbed on the 5300 block of North Sheridan. The victim was approached from behind and could not tell police if there was more than one offender or provide a physical description. The robber or robbers took the victim’s back pack containing comic books, his wallet, debit card and ID. The victim returned to his work place on the 5300 block of North Sheridan and reported the robbery.

Shoved Down For Purse
A man in his mid-20s shoved a woman to the ground and stole her purse around 12:25 a.m. Aug. 6. The 27-year-old victim told police she was leaving a bar on the 5200 block of North Ravenswood and pushed her on the ground from behind. The man pulled the purse from her hand and fled eastbound on Berwyn. The victim suffered minor cuts and bruises.

Read all of Lake Effect News' police blotter postings.

17 year old Edgewater girl charged in beating

17-year-old Courtney Andrews, of the 5800 block of North Winthrop, has been charged for her role in a series of beatings, armed robberies and carjackings that happened on the North Side. Three 16-year-old boys have also been charged for the incidents, which occurred late Sunday and early Monday in the 2000 block of West Estes Avenue in Rogers Park, at 3317 N. Hoyne Ave., and the third at 3031 N. Damen Ave. Read the Chicago Sun Times coverage here.

Third Saturdays

The final Third Saturday event of the summer is this weekend - click here for more info.

Woman Sues Edgewater Historical Society

From the Chicago Sun-Times:
August 11, 2009

BY MARK J. KONKOL Staff Reporter/mkonkol@suntimes.com
The hulking Victorian villa in Edgewater has seen better days.

Its muscular concrete porch is cracked, propped up now by iron supports. A rear addition is slowly sinking into the backyard. Inside, a gut job would be needed to make it habitable once more.

But when members of the Edgewater Historical Society got wind of a developer's plan to buy the yellow-brick behemoth at 6018 N. Kenmore and tear it down to build condos, they rallied to save the place, seeing it as a potential city landmark.

Now, the neighborhood preservationists are being sued. Property owner Brigitta Riedel says she lost out on more than $1 million when the sale went south and is suing to the historical society and four of its board members, accusing them of carrying off a "calculated, sophisticated attack" to kill the sale.

The board members say the suit could hurt community activism -- and, if they're ordered to pay damages, perhaps cost them their own homes.
Continue Reading

Fellow blogger reports multiple calls of shots fired in Edgewater and Uptown last night

Our diligent friend Timmy at the Avondale and Logan Square Crime Blotter emailed me to say that there was a shooter firing tons of shots in the area of Winona-Argyle-Kenmore-Sheridan. The offender was reportedly a 300 lb. black male with a white t-shirt. Shell casings were also found at Winona and Sherdian. Here is the scanner coverage....did anyone see or hear anything?

11:41pm - This is not in Rogers Park, or in the 24th district, but multiple (and I mean multiple calls) tickets for "Shots Fired" are pouring in in the area of Foster and Winthrop. Tickets are giving 5038 North, 5320 North Sherdian, and Winona and Sherdian.

11:44pm - Citizens are reporting that they hear gunfire at the Argyle Red Line station.

11:46pm - Calls are STILL coming in at Winthrop and Foster for Shots Fired. They're pouring in. Also, shell casings have been found.

12:00am - This concludes my coverage of 24 for tonight. I'll be back to cover hopefully a little later this or next month.

Condo Association & Board Training

(Click image to enlarge)

Star Gaze Out? Neighborhood Bar & Grill In?

According to the Edgewater Development Corporation, the owners of Four Shadows Tavern & Grill (2758 N. Ashland) are seeking to acquire Stargaze (5419 N. Clark) and convert it into a neighborhood bar and grill similar to Four Shadows. However for Four Shadows to apply for the new liquor license, the city would have to lift a Liquor License Moratorium (Ord. No. 4-60-022 (48.24)) on the east side of Clark Street, from Bryn Mawr Avenue to Balmoral Avenue.

Tax Assessment Seminar

Foster District - Safest in Town

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that crime overall is down across the city, and the Foster District (20th) which includes parts of Edgewater, Andersonville and Lincoln Square had the fewest reported crimes: 1,239 incidents (including 160 violent crimes) during the first six months of the year. That's a nearly 5 percent crime decrease over 2008. Read the entire article here.

Another Dinner Crawl!

For more info and to buy tickets click here.

Tonight: National Night Out Against Crime

Both the 20th and 24th District police will mark National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4. The nation-wide event, started 24 years ago, is designed to heighten crime and drug awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs and strengthen community and police partnerships to fight crime.

The 20th District event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an anti-violence walk starting from McCutcheon School, 4865 N. Sheridan and conclude with a cookout at the Buttercup Playlot, 4901 N. Sheridan.

The 24th District Night Out starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Howard Community Center, 1610 W. Howard.

Chicagoland Games

Check out this blogger's review of Chicagoland Games, located at Bryn Mawr & Broadway. The gaming store has been open for a little over a year, and is an active participant in Neighborhood Nights on Thorndale.