Catalpa Gardens: Closeout Sale & Lawsuit?

According to the BestChicagoCondos blog and the Chicago Tribune, the developers of the Catalpa Gardens condo building at 1122 W Catalpa are offering deep discounts of between $50K-$150K on the 14 remaining units.

On another note, we recently came across this website: http://www.catalpagardenslawsuit.com/. We're curious if any owners/residents of the Catalpa Gardens development are aware of this (potential) lawsuit against the developers?

2009 Edgewater Chamber Holiday Mixer

Shop in Andersonville, Park/Travel FREE

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is encouraging people to do their holiday shopping in the neighborhood through the "Your Ride's on Us!' program. The chamber will reimburse shoppers parking or CTA fees when they spend $20 or more during their visit and submit 1) receipts of the purchase(s) totalling $20 and 2) either a parking receipt or their CTA Chicago Card Plus account statement. The Chamber's creative program recently caught the attention of local news outlets: check out articles here from CBS2 and ABC7, and Fox News will be airing a story tonight at 9pm. For more details check out: www.andersonville.org/freeride.

Reminder: CTA Red Line Vision Planning

On Tuesday December 1st, feel free to stop by Emanuel Congregation (5959 N. Sheridan Rd.) to hear all about proposed future renovations to Edgewater's Red Line stations. CTA President Richard Rodriguez will be in attendance along with other elected officials. The meeting runs from 6:30-8:00 PM.

LEN: City Council Designates Land for New Edgewater Library

From the Lake Effect News:

City Council Designates Land for New Edgewater Library
Edgewater took a giant step closer toward getting a new branch library. The Chicago City Council approved an ordinance designating land for a Chicago Public Library in the Edgewater community during its regular council meeting on Nov. 18.

Passage of the ordinance authorizes the Chicago Public Building Commission, the city agency responsible for managing public construction projects, to begin sales negotiations with a local private owner of a property located at 6014-16 N. Broadway. Construction of the new branch library will not affect or displace neighborhood favorite Patio Beef which sits adjacent to the proposed lot.

Preliminary plans for the new Edgewater Branch library call for a two-story, 17,500-square-foot structure. The project will be designed to achieve “Silver” level certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The proposed building is one of the PBC’s prototype designs, similar to the new, Wicker Park-Bucktown Branch Library.
Continue reading

New restaurant coming to Clark/Berwyn

from Crain's Chicago:
Owners of Irish pub plan Andersonville eatery
By: Eddie Baeb Nov. 25, 2009
(Crain’s) — The two partners who last year opened the upscale, gay-friendly Irish pub Wilde Bar & Restaurant are planning a new restaurant in Andersonville.

A venture co-owned by Martin Cournane and Denis Paul Sheahan filed for zoning approval for a roughly 9,000-square-foot restaurant and bar at 5252-5260 N. Clark St. in the North Side neighborhood.

The two-story property at the corner of Clark and Berwyn Avenue, a block north of the Swedish American Museum and two blocks south of kitschy burger joint Hamburger Mary’s, was bought last May for about $5 million by a venture affiliated with Harold Rider of Chicago-based Realty & Mortgage Co.
Continue reading

Remember the 80's

Check out these photos from the Chicago Public Library's "Digital Collections":

Augies (closed) and Calo, restaurants - 5300 N Clark - 1987

Calo again (and great 80's vehicles)

Fireside Restaurant - 5739 N Ravenswood - 1985

DJ's Depot - now Pauline's - 5400 N Ravenswood - 1987

The Piano Gallerie - Clark/Thorndale - 1985

Roundtable Restaurant - 5712 N Clark - 1987

Eco Wrapping

You're free to cross

We're pleased to report that the crosswalk signals at Thornale have been fixed. Thanks to a reader for informing us the work was completed today. Happy crossing!

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

RUDOLPH, THE RED-HOSED REINDEER
An adults-only musical parody featuring Rudolph as a cross-dresser. Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark, (773)784-6969. Dec 3-Jan 2. $10-$15.

talkin' TN

Edgewater's own True Nature Foods (6034 N Broadway), a retailer of natural foods and products, launched a blog of their own earlier this year called "talkin' TN," check it out! The blog is designed to provide recipes, community information and green roof updates.

Dining out on Turkey Day

Burn the bird? Forget to thaw it? Don't feel like cooking this Thanksgiving? The "Dining Chicago" blog lists over 80 restaurants that are staying open this year and serving all the fixin's including many local eateries such as Ann Sather, Big Jones, and Reza's. Check out the two lists here and here. Many recommend reservations, but also welcome late ones.

Late Night Andersonville

Late Night Andersonville is next Friday (12/4) from 6pm to 10pm. Businesses will stay open late offering discounts on gifts and meals, and there will be entertainment such as a beer/wine tasting @ In Fine Spirits, live music, and artist demonstrations. For more information check out the event page on the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce's website.

The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows
City Lit Theatre, 1020 W Bryn Mawr (Edgewater Presbytarian Church building)
Tickets: call 773-293-3682 or online via http://www.brownpapertickets.com/

Scammers on Glenlake, robbers on Glenwood

7:16 PM, 1249 W. Glenlake - Caller reports 2 males are going door to door, claiming to be collecting donations on behalf of Lands Farms. One of the suspects is described as Hispanic, wearing a white shirt and green hat.

7:35, 1741 W. Farragut - Report of several teens loitering near a car in the alley.

7:41, 5624 N. Clark - 2 males are harassing people in a store at this address.

7:45, Lincoln and Foster - Reckless driver in a red pickup, last seen heading northbound.

7:48, Granville and Glenwood - Caller reports 2 teenage black males wearing multicolored hoodies attempted to rob him. They threatened him with a box cutter, but he was able to get away. An Officer is talking with the victim at 5620 N. Clark.

8:04, Elmdale and Glenwood - Report of a second attempted box cutter robbery. Description of the offenders is similar to the previous report (2 teenage black males, one wearing a dark colored hoodie and the other wearing a light colored one).

8:35, 1055 W. Bryn Mawr - Officers were pursuing and have apprehended 2 shoplifting suspects in the alley on the north side of the street.

8:41, 5615 N. Winthrop - Officers are in the alley requesting a cage car to pick up the 2 suspects from the above report.

9:00, Bryn Mawr and Winthrop - Male caller says he was threatened at this intersection This is apparently unrelated to the 8:35 shoplifting incident.

9:28, Clark and Hollywood - Report of a gang disturbance. Gang or Tac unit asked to respond.

9:38, Loyola Red Line stop - Caller says a black male flashed a gun and attempted a robbery near the station. The offender fled in an unknown direction.

9:44, Loyola Red Line stop - Officers have a suspect with a toy gun in custody near the stop. They're requesting that the dispatcher try to contact the person who originally called to report the incident.

10:15, 1608 Rosehill - Confirmed burglary from a garage at this address..

10:15, Foster and Western - Report of several males with baseball bats threatening people near the 7-Eleven. Responding unit says they don't see anything going on.

Beware of SCAM

An Edgewater resident was recently the victim of a scam at their home and wanted to share their experience with the community in an effort to raise awareness. Apparently two very charming/personable African American teenagers are dropped off in a brown van and go door to door soliciting money for a "college scholarship fund." The receipt for your donation will be a photocopy of a Lambs Farm/Chicago Tribune subscription deal (see image above). Lambs Farm was contacted and they do not solicit door to door and had no knowledge of the scholarship fund. The teenagers also attempt to get into your home by requesting a glass of water or to use the bathroom. It can only be assumed that they are trying to survey your personal possessions. If you donate via check you could be exposed to identity theft as they will have your bank information and routing number. According to a recent CAPS meeting, this scam has happened multiple times around the neighborhood and Chicago police suggested that if you see these boys or a similar scheme please call 911!

Man in garage crash had $600K in heroin

As a follow up to last week's post regarding the crash into the garage on the 5800 block of N Magnolia:

Prosecutors: Man had about $600,000 in heroin
A Minnesota man was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 Wednesday after more than a half a million dollars in heroin was found in the back of his sport-utility vehicle, after it crashed into a garage on Chicago's North Side, authorities said this afternoon.

Abel Zor, 37, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., appeared for his bond hearing Wednesday before Cook County Criminal Court Judge Laura Sullivan, charged with, according to Chicago police and court records, manufacturing with the intent to deliver the heroin, a felony.
Continue reading at ChicagoBreakingNews.com

Additional news coverage: CBS2 Chicago; Chicago Sun Times

LDC Fundraiser: December 13th

(click to enlarge)

Man dies after being shot by police on North Side

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:

A 30-year-old man died after being shot by Chicago police on Thursday night in the city's Ravenswood neighborhood.

According to the Cook County medical examiner's office Tarek El-Hila, of the 5100 block of North Leavitt Avenue was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m. at Illinois Masonic Hospital.

No officers were injured in the shooting around 9:30 p.m. in El-Hila's home, Chicago police said in a statement.

Continue reading

TIF funds used for Berwyn improvements

From the CTA Tattler blog:
A good use of TIF: Funds to cover Berwyn station fixup

The CTA once again is tapping a local TIF fund to pay for station improvements, this time at the Red Line Berwyn station.

The CTA is entering into anagreement with the city to receive $1,173,768 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF funds) for station improvements made at the Red Line Berwyn station. CTA this year made improvements at the Berwyn station, which is located within the City's Edgewater TIF District. The work performed was a TIF-eligible expense.

Says a CTA spokesperson: "The agreement would allow CTA to be reimbursed through TIF funding and free up scarce capital resources to improve other parts of the system and helps the agency continue to move toward its goal to reach a state of good repair.

Specific improvements included:

• Replacing the canopies and lighting.
• Repainting the canopy support columns.
• Replacing the plaster columns and installing new ceilings.
• Installing concealed gutter systems inside the stationhouses.

CTA Vision Study Meetings

The CTA is conducting a "vision study" of the Red Line stations. In order to get input and feedback, the public is invited to a series of Open Houses. Each Open House will focus on a specific group of stations. Exhibits and other information will focus on the condition of the stations.

The Open Houses are:

Tuesday, December 1, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Thorndale and Granville stations
Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan

Wednesday, December 2, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Argyle, Lawrence, Wilson and Sheridan stations
Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson, Lecture Hall C Room 3641

We even share recipes...

Dining Chicago recently shared this recipe from Andersonville's French Bistro La Tache (1475 W Balmoral):


La Tache’s coq au vin
Chicken with red wine, bacon and onions
Chef Andrew Alcid

“This dish is the kind dish that makes any chef happy, it’s classic and simple, and hearty enough to feed any type of hunger while keeping the senses on overload,” Alcid says. “Since taking over La Tache, this is one of the first things I have put on the menu, and one of the only ones not to change.”

1 4 to 5 pound whole chicken
8 cloves garlic, chopped
1 750 ml bottle pinot noir
Canola oil or leftover bacon fat
2 white onions, peeled and diced
1 large carrot, diced
3 ribs celery, diced
Fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
2 quarts chicken stock or broth
1 cup demiglace or chicken blood
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnish:
1 cup bacon lardons
1 cup peeled pearl onions
2 cups sliced crimini or chanterelle mushrooms
1 cup peas
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Chopped fresh thyme, parsley and chives

Split the chicken in half, removing the backbone. Mix 3 cloves of the garlic with the wine. Place the chicken in this mixture, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours. Remove the chicken, saving the liquid.

In a heavy roasting pan or dutch oven over medium heat, heat the oil and sear the chicken skin side down until golden brown. Remove and set aside. Add the remaining garlic and vegetables and cook until they caramelize. Use some of the reserved marinade to deglaze the pan.

Add the chicken stock and herbs, and put the chicken back to the pan. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cover and cook the chicken for about 1 hour, or until very tender; remove from pot. Continue simmering the braising liquid until it’s reduced by half, and add the demiglace.

Prepare the garnish: While the chicken braises, cook the bacon lardons until golden brown n a saute pan over low heat; remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate covered with a paper towel to soak up any excess grease. Do not discard the bacon fat from the pan.

Add the mushrooms to the hot pan with the bacon fat and saute until the edges are crispy; remove and place on the same plate with the bacon. In the same pan, caramelize the pearl onions until golden and cooked throughout.

Add the lardons and mushrooms back into the pan, put in the peas and saute together. Season with salt, pepper and fresh herbs to taste.

To serve: Cut the chicken into four pieces (two breasts and two legs). Arrange in a deep platter or large bowl. Pour that lovely reduced braising liquid on top and then add the garnish. 2 to 3 servings.
Source

Crew & Wild Pug: Here to stay

Although a little out of Edgewater's borders, the owners of Crew and Wild Pug, located in the 48th Ward at Lawrence and Broadway, contacted us asking if we could help them dispell some rumors that they are selling one or both of their bars:

Rumors about Crew and Wild Pug
We wanted to take the time dispel the rumors about Crew and Wild Pug and replace them with some facts. We are not actively looking to sell either Crew or Wild Pug. We have listed the businesses with the Kudan Group in hopes of finding an additional partner(s) to recapitalize both businesses.

It is no great surprise these are extremely tough times. At Crew alone we have had over 18 of our regular customers lose their jobs since the down turn of the economy. When Crew turned five years old this past summer, our goal was to do a remodel including updating our monitors. Unfortunately that money has gone just to keep the doors open.

The Wild Pug was six months late in opening. We opened in November which was shortly after the start of the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. The good news is business is growing slowly, it’s just not where it needs to be.

This is not something that is easy to share, in fact it down right embarrassing. However, we felt we had to say something to address all the speculation. To those of you who frequent our businesses, thank you! If you haven’t been by lately, we would love to see you. We love being a part of Uptown and encourage you to support all the local businesses that have invested in your neighborhood. We hope to be here for many years to come.
Steven Milford & Brian Wells

Help support these two great neighborhood bars!!

Students help low income residents find jobs

From Loyola's student newspaper the Loyola Phoenix:
Typically, college students look to others for help finding employment, but for some Loyola students, the tables are turned.

Thirty-eight Loyola undergraduates are helping others find jobs through an organization called LIFT, or Life-Improving Financial Tools, which is a national non-profit organization with locations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Chicago, all staffed by student volunteers from local universities.

The Loyola students are currently working one-on-one through LIFT with low-income members of the Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park communities. Students help them work on résumés, find employment, search for education opportunities and find affordable housing.

Continue reading

Traffic changes coming?

We've received notification via the EBNA block club that Alderman Smith's office is conducting traffic studies to consider the following "South Edgewater Calming" changes to the streets:

South Edgewater Calming (LBRC and EARC neighborhoods) West of Broadway

Ø Convert to two-way traffic N. Glenwood from Bryn Mawr to Foster

Ø Convert to two-way traffic W. Catalpa, W. Berwyn and W. Balmoral from Broadway to Clark

Ø Close to motorized traffic permanently W. Balmoral from Broadway to alley just west (to expand Bromann Park )

Ø Close to motorized traffic permanently W. Berwyn from Clark to Ashland (to create a pedestrian plaza)—agreed by Ald. O'Connor/40th Ward

That Little Mexican Cafe gives back, again

Just like last year, That Little Mexican Cafe owners Porfirio and Hilary Balderas are partnering with Care for Real to host 300 people for a traditional turkey dinner. The staff of That Little Mexican Cafe volunteers their time to cook and serve dinner. For most CFR clients, this is the only time during the year that they have a restaurant meal. Many thanks to the Balderas family and That Little Mexican Cafe's staff for their continuing generosity. If you would like to help out on Thanksgiving, call Irene at (773) 769-6182.

Weekend gunfire

Gun shots were reported Saturday night around 6:30pm in the 5800 block of North Broadway. An SUV which was likely fleeing the scene, was found crashed into a garage nearby in an alley behind the 5800 block of North Magnolia. Contents of the vehicle are being investigated, and as is the possible connection of the vehicle to a to a methamphetamine operation.

Source: ChicagoBreakingNews.com

Additional news coverage:

WBBM 780

Suspicious follower on Granville

6:44 PM, 1140 W. Ardmore - 2 males are fighting under the bridge.

6:50, Granville and Hoyne - Male caller reports a suspicious man is following him. He is heading west on Granville.

7:00, 1269 W. Victoria - Officers have located a stolen vehicle. It looks drivable and appears to have been abandoned.

7:11, 1042 W. Catalpa - Possible burglary in progress. Female caller says someone just forced their way into her building through the outer hallway door.

8:36, Granville Red Line stop - El check.

8:47, 4800 N. Ravenswood - Report of a fight breaking out at the Metra station.

8:50, Berwyn Red Line stop - Disturbance call. Report of multiple teens loitering.

10:07, Thorndale Red Line stop - El check.

Tonight

Now serving #42

If you've yet to experience the T-Shirt Deli (1482 W Berwyn), you're truely missing out. This little retail store where you can make your own shirt is easy to miss, nestled in between North Community Bank and Tulip at the corner of Berwyn & Clark. The concept is simple - pick out a design from one of the hundreds of designs, pick a shirt style, color and size, and they make it while you wait. The entire experience revolves around a deli theme, which they have down to a "T" - from the shirts in the deli case to the way your finish product is wrapped in butcher paper and decaled with meat stickers and served with a napkin and bag of chips.

Find Poppy

From Craigslist:

It has been one week and my Poppy still has not returned to me. I WILL NOT give up!
Poppy was taken from my car that was parked at the Chicago Armory Parking lot at Broadway and Thorndale in Edgewater on Friday, November 6 around 4pm.
She is a tan Chihuahua, two years old, wearing a black buckle collar. I have posted a $400 reward. I will do anything to get her back. I know she is terrified right now because she is with thugs. Please keep an eye out for her!
If you know anything about Poppy's whereabouts please email:
comm-aeyhv-1465489246@craigslist.org

Transistor, 5045 N Clark

Andersonville welcomes a new business to Clark street: Transistor. We recently stopped in this neat place, and rather than try to describe it ourselves here is their description from Facebook: "Transistor, 5045 N. Clark St, is equal parts art gallery, book and magazine shop, CD & record shop, electronics boutique and more. We also feature free film/video screenings (Tu & Th), performances, workshops and pingpong every Sunday night." Stop by and check them out! Here are a few links where you can learn more:

Transistor Website (under construction)

Transistor Facebook page

TimeOut Chicago

Remembering the Edgewater Beach hotel

Check out this 9-part article about the Edgewater Beach Hotel and Apartments (shown in photo) by Adam Langer. In its hay day, the Edgewater Beach Hotel was a home away from home for the rich and famous. Guests included Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Remembering the Edgewater Beach Hotel

Winston's Cafe replacing Clarks on Clark

A little out of the true Edgewater borders, but still a part of Andersonville:

The Eagle has not yet landed
Chicago’s classic leather bar reemerges as a 24-hour café—for now.
By Jason A. Heidemann


Jim Stephens is hiding when we greet him at his under-construction spot at Clark and Argyle Streets. The former Chicago Eagle manager and bartender has been working around the clock to open his new Andersonville business in the spot of former gay dive bar Clark’s on Clark. But curious passersby keep interrupting his work. “I’ll be there from 8 to 3am and only get an hour and a half of work done,” he says. So we move away from the windows to talk with Stephens about the grand reopening of the Chicago Eagle—or, rather, Winston’s Cafe.
Continue reading this Time Out Chicago article

Beach House: APPROVED

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved plans for a new beach house and landscaping at Osterman Beach. The new facility will open by Memorial Day, and will include showers and changing areas for lifeguards.
* photo courtesy of Flickr - we are not sure this is the most updated plan/design.

CPD needs your help

(click to enlarge)

The Chicago Police Department is asking for help identifiying the five men in the photos above who were recently captured on video robbing a man on the 1700 block of West Thome. The robbery took place around 8:30pm on October 26th as the victim was walking home. Police described the attackers as black men 18 to 20 years old, medium height, weight, brown eyes, black hair, and all with and medium complexion. One of them wore a light blue shiny windbreaker with a white logo, and another wore a white hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information about the robbery should call Belmont Area detectives at 1-312-744-8263, or Rogers Park District police at 1-312-744-5907.
Source

Additional news coverage:
ABC7
Fox Chicago

Crosswalk out @ Thorndale

A reader informs us that the crosswalk signals have been out at Thorndale & Broadway for almost 2 weeks, making it difficult to cross at the intersection. Please call 311 and contact the Alderman's office to help us report this outing to get it fixed ASAP before someone gets hurt.

5411 N Winthrop in housing court

Also from the Alderman's office & EBNA:
This is a reminder that 5411 N Winthrop will be back in housing court next week on November 19th, 9:30 a.m. Room 1105 of the Daley Center. The date is set for case management, a progress report on United Central Bank's efforts to sell the building, and a contempt hearing against Ilie Venter. Please consider attending as a court advocate if you can.

More tagging on Berwyn

Alderman Mary Ann Smith's office has informed EBNA that a resident reported more gang tagging on Berwyn. Apparently the gang Gang Disciples tagged fresh cement with a "GD with a little pitchfork coming out of it" at the southwest corner of Berwyn and Kenmore (1039 W Berwyn). Remember to report tagging and grafitti to 311 immediately, and call 911 if you see it in progress. Have you seen tagging in other areas of Edgewater?

LDC Presents Distressed Condo Workshop

(click to enlarge)

Man wants ride home, gets ride to jail

According to the Sun-Times Media wire, a Benton Harbor, MI man who was intoxicated in the Andersonville neighborhood called 911 alleging he had been kidnapped and robbed. Officers responding found the man last night at 2:30 a.m. at 1700 W Foster intoxicated and said he had not been kidnapped or robbed - he had only called 911 because he wanted a ride home.

Source

Women & Children First featured in Tribune

From the Chicago Tribune:
More than a bookstore
Women & Children First specializes in feminist, gay, lesbian literature

By Christopher Borrelli
Tribune reporter
November 10, 2009

Women & Children First, the feminist bookstore in Andersonville that hugs the corner of Clark Street and Farragut Avenue, turns 30 Tuesday. That's a lot of copies of "Backlash" and "The Feminine Mystique"! In all seriousness, folks, it's quite a milestone for an independent bookstore specializing in women's studies and gay and lesbian issues, along with the usual literary best-sellers and children's books.

Two decades ago, there were more than 120 feminist bookstores in North America. Today there are around 30, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press. But even that sounds high, according to a number of bookstore owners, some of whom rattle off the names of the feminist bookstores they know have survived as though remembering old friends: BookWoman in Austin, Texas, Charis in Atlanta, True Colors in Minneapolis, A Room of One's Own in Madison, Wis., People Called Women in Toledo, Ohio, Bluestockings in New York City.
Continue reading

Work progressing on the new Burke's space

This morning I was walking north on Broadway, and was very encouraged to see that interior and exterior construction is coming along nicely on the new Burke's restaurant/bar that we were happy to announce recently. The former Writer's Lounge and restaurant space immediately to the north have already been combined and gutted, and framing and other construction is going on inside. Demo work has also begun on the facade, as you can see.

The Admiral is a go

Recently the EBNA block club mentioned that The Admiral at The Lake retirement community scheduled to be built at Foster Ave. and Marine Dr. will move forward as planned, despite rumors and reports to the contrary. A Chicago Tribune article from early October supports the EBNA's assessment of the situation, indicating "The new building replaces a retirement community that was torn down in 2007. The Kendal Corporation, an experienced retirement community operator from the east coast, has been brought in to help push the project forward, and a new marketing effort is underway."

Green Element Resale Shop coming to Edgewater

A reader tells us he recently walked by 6241 N. Broadway near the Loyola campus, and noticed signs for this new business. It is not yet clear when Green Element Resale Shop will open, but we will provide an update once we find out.

Car crashes into home - 2 injured

From the Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire
2 Hurt When Car Hits Mansion In Edgewater
Teenage Driver, Passenger Hospitalized

A teenager driving a minivan accidentally struck the corner of an "enormous" 3-story brick home in the affluent Lakewood-Balmoral section of the Edgewater neighborhood Tuesday night, sending herself and a passenger to the hospital.

At 9:11 p.m. the female motorist was eastbound on Balmoral Avenue when she possibly accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake and hit the corner of the large brick home at 5401 N. Wayne Ave., according to Lincoln District police Sgt. Patrick Barker.

Continue reading

Shooting @ 6200 N Clark

Man wounded in Far North Side shooting
November 6, 2009 9:25 PM
A man was found seriously wounded near a Far North Side gas station this evening, authorities said.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, was found shot in the chest in the vicinity of a gas station in the 6200 block of North Clark Street just after 8:35 p.m., said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Gabrielle Lesniak.

The victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious-to-critical condition, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.

Details of the circumstances of the shooting were unavailable, police said.
Source: ChicagoBreakingNews.com

Changes in the Pause space on Berwyn

Pause Coffee house (1107 W. Berwyn Ave.) is closed as of this morning and the message in the photo was on their chalkboard outside. It sounds like they're going to go away for a while and return under new ownership as Kitchen Sink Cafe. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Gang tagging in Edgewater Beach?

A local resident reports "At approximately 7PM on November 4th, I witnessed a man writing on the wall of the laundromat on the corner of Berwyn and Winthrop. He wrote in multiple places "B-W, ALKQN, Chief" then drew a picture of a crown. My understanding is that this is a mark left by the Latin King and Queen Nation. I reported this graffiti to 311 and emailed the Alderman's office."

Medill: Challenger emerges for 7th District seat

From Medill
Candidate hopes to make history as state's first openly gay senator
by John Lund
Nov 04, 2009

One year from now, Jim Madigan hopes to make history by becoming Illinois’ first openly gay state senator. Madigan, 35, of Buena Park, left his post as interim executive director of Equality Illinois to campaign for the state senate seat currently occupied by his opponent, fellow Democrat Heather Steans. The primary election is Feb. 2, 2010.

Madigan answered questions from his campaign office for the 7th District seat, which includes parts of Uptown, Edgewater, Lincoln Square and Rogers Park.
Continue reading

LEN covers Domick's demolition event

From the Lake Effect News:

Edgewater Dominick’s Ready For Its Makeover
By LORRAINE SWANSON

Edgewater community leaders gathered at the Dominick’s Finer Foods store at 5235 N. Sheridan on Monday morning to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.

The outdated building housing the Dominick’s store that has served Edgewater residents for over 30 years, will be demolished this month at the corner of Foster and Sheridan. Dominick’s is replacing the building with an entirely new 55,129-square-foot store that will be the flagship of the supermarket chain’s 80 stores in the Chicago area.
Continue reading

Reeling 28: GLBT Film Festival

Swift School pool to reopen

From the office of Alderman Mary Ann Smith:

After being closed for more than ten years, the swimming pool at Swift School, 5900 N. Winthrop, will re-open with a dedication ceremony on Thursday, November 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Community members are welcome to come and tour the new facility. The Senn High School Color Guard will post colors, and there will be performances by the Sullivan High School Steel Band, the Swift Choir and the Swift Band. The event will take place from 5:30-7:30 PM.

The pool, pool deck and locker rooms have been completely renovated and made accessible. Funding for the project came from a combination of Aldermanic discretionary funds and the Chicago Public Schools. The pool will be open to the community, but the details have not yet been finalized.

"Swift is one of the few elementary schools to have a pool, and it was a shame this asset was unusable," Alderman Smith said. "We invested in this project to create a new resource for our entire community."

Edgewater condo market holding strong

Chicago realtor Fran Bailey writes that the median sale price of condos in Edgewater held steady at $209K, only a 4% dip from the same month in 2007. Check out the data for yourself here.

Danger(s) on Balmoral

Apparently being a pedestrian on Balmoral can be risky business, in more ways than one.

1) Multiple people have been mugged and assaulted walking on Balmoral just east of Broadway near the El tracks just west of Winthrop. One victim was attacked in broad daylight around 2pm. Be careful anytime you're walking on this stretch of Balmoral - there is little foot and car traffic or businesses in this area. If you see anyone suspicious call 911.

2) Crossing the intersection at Balmoral and Broadway can be as difficult as crossing a street in the game Frogger. Cars speed along Broadway and rarely yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk as they are supposed to do. Recently at least one person was injured when he was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the street. The EBNA neighborhood block club is exploring possible improvements to this intersection for pedestrians, including a stop sign or light.