Poll: Favorite thing about the summer

On this beautiful Friday we ask our readers: what is your favorite thing about Edgewater/Andersonville in the summer? Please vote in the upper right hand corner. Feel free to add additional suggestions or specifics in the comments section.

Changes at Great Lake

(photo from TastingTable Chicago)


Despite their success, the owners of Great Lake have refused to change the setup of their popular pizza joint equipped with only one chef, odd operating hours and 14 seats - irking some customers and potential customers alike with ridiculously long lines and waits. Well change is coming, and if you're like us and refused to wait over 2 hours to try the "nation's best pizza" as declared by GQ magazine, you may now have the chance. According to this writeup by Tasting Chicago, Great Lake is going to serve to-go slices of Sicilian pizza this summer and setup benches outside to accomidate slice-munching.

Smile - You're on Camera!

Camera on the Berwyn Red Line platform

Camera over the sidewalk under the Berwyn Red Line platform

The CTA has installed multiple security cameras at the Berwyn and Thorndale Red Line stops which will monitor activity both on the platforms and on the ground on the sidewalks and alleys around the stations. We noticed at least 6 new cameras covering all angles at Berwyn, but there could be even more. Harry Osterman led the charge to get them installed, securing state funds to pay for the new cameras. The same devices will soon also be installed at Bryn Mawr.

Tomorrow: Dining out for life

The 17th Annual Dining Out for Life in Chicago is on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Chicagoland restaurants will come together and celebrate good food, good friends and a good cause. Joined with 58 cities across the United States and Canada, this is the single largest HIV/AIDS benefit in the country. Last year Chicago raised over $75,000 to benefit AIDSCARE Progressive Services and spread awareness to hundreds of corporations, neighbors, and friends. Dine Out. Fight AIDS. www.edgealliance.org

Participating Edgewater/Andersonville restaurants include: Francesca's on Bryn Mawr, Broadway Cellars, Anteprima, Big Jones, Hamburger Mary's, Jin Ju & La Tache.

Volunteers needed

Neighborhood Nights positive loitering events are returning this summer and TheNeighborhoodFirst.org is seeking volunteers to help. Needed are people to coordinate each location (Thorndale/Broadway, Morse/Greenview & Winthrop/Winona) as well as people to organize games, greet residents and work with neighborhood businesses. There will be a planning meeting on May 10th at 5533 N Broadway, and for more info click here.

Sheridan residents unhappy with train noise

Sheridan Road residents are blaming the new 11-story Catalpa Gardens condo building for directing more noise from the El train their way. According to this story from CB2 Chicago, residents are claiming the noise from the El is hurting their quality of life and have filed complaints with the Alderman's office. Alderman Smith has asked the condo building to plant plants or vines which could absorb some of the noise, but there is no building code that would require them to do so.

You can also watch the CBS2 story video here.

Poll Results

In less than a week, almost 150 people have voted in our unofficial poll regarding satisfaction with Alderman Mary Ann Smith. Surprisingly, the majority (56%) responded as being "Not satisfied, and think it is time for a change," while 28% were indifferent and 15% strong support the job MAS is currently doing and would re-elect her.

Police activity @ 5455 N Sheridan

A reader inquires:

"I was wondering if you could help me out. I live at 5455 N Sheridan - yesterday afternoon around 2pm or so I came home to find 5 or 6 police cars in the roundabout. There were two officers in the entryway and three more hanging out in the lobby. I asked the doorman what was going on and he was very vague - just said something like "everything's ok, we're safe." Uh, ok. I'm dying to know what was going on and why it required so many police! Any info would be appreciated - I don't know where else to look."

If anyone has any info on what was going on yesterday, let us know in the comments section.

Tonight: The Gown Elephant

The Gown Elephant

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Brown Elephant - Clark (Map it)

5404 N Clark

Chicago, IL 60640

Organization: Howard Brown Health Center

The Brown Elephant in Andersonville will be transformed into The Gown Elephant, a sale of gently used and new designer eveningwear donated by many of Chicago’s most stylish philanthropists. Tickets are $25 in advance, $50 at the door. For more information or to RSVP, contact Anthony McClellon at (773) 388-8998.

Man rescued from lake front rocks

From WGN:

CHICAGO, IL - Chicago firefighters worked for over 20 minutes to free a man who became stuck in the rocks on the lakefront on the city's North Side.

Fire Department personnel were called to the scene in the 6200 block of North Sheridan Road at about 6:30am according to fire department spokesperson Quentin Curtis.

Rescue crews used the "jaws of life" to move the rocks and free the man's foot.

He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in serious to critical condition with lower extremity injuries.

There was no immediate information available about how the man got stuck in the rocks.

Found Cat

A reader submits the following:

"he's young and he's roaming the street...he's very friendly and has both a green collar and a red collar on but no tags....he followed me home...and was hanging out in near Swift Elementary on Winthrop. he's clearly someone's lost pet."

City of Chicago Gun Turn-In - Don't Kill a Dream, Save a Life

The City of Chicago Gun Turn-In will be held at 22 locations throughout Chicago on Saturday, May 8th from 10am-4pm. Turn in a gun and receive a prepaid Mastercard up to $100, no questions asked! For more information, go to www.dontkilladream.org.

The Edgewater Community Council invites you to:

"The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon
Friday, May 21, 2010
Raven Theatre
6:30 p.m. - hors d'oeuvres; 8:00 p.m. - curtain
ECC member price: $35 / Non-member price: $40

Tickets are now available for purchase on the ECC website or through the ECC office (please call 773-334-5609).

Sushi Mike

If you have yet to experience Sushi Mike, you're missing out. Check out this article featuring the sushi chef and Tanoshii (5547 N Clark) from A.V. Club - Chicago. We agree with their writeup - menus are for amateurs.

Crain's Chicago reports: Broadway bank to close

Broadway Bank to be closed by regulators

By: Steve Daniels April 23, 2010

(Crain's) — Sources tell Crain's that Broadway Bank will be closed Friday by regulators.

There was no word late Friday on a possible buyer.

Check back for updates.

CBS2: Broadway Bank may fail

Customers Told FDIC Taking Over Broadway Bank

Giannoulias Family Bank Lost $75 Million Last Year

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Customers at Broadway Bank, the bank owned by the family of Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, have been told the FDIC will take control of the bank by the end of the day.

CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports customers are being told Broadway Bank will close after 6 p.m. Friday and will re-open Saturday under a new name. It was not immediately clear if another bank is in line to take control of the bank right away.

Customers say they were told their accounts will be fine. No customers said they were alarmed.

Broadway Bank lost $75 million last year. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation typically announces bank closures at the end of the business day on Fridays, and if Broadway fails, customers are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per account.

Sources tell CBS 2 the FDIC will shut down several Chicago banks Friday afternoon.

Continue Reading

Pet Photo Day @ Bark Bark Club

Come out to the Bark Bark Club (5943 N Broadway) in Edgewater on Sunday April 25th from 10AM to 5PM for a Pet Portrait. RSVP's ARE required for this event so call (773) 878-7233.

Cost:
5 x 7 - $30
8 x 10 - $35
11 x 14 - $45
(a $15 deposit is required to hold your appointment time – this will be applied to your purchase)

Media covers Ridge parking issue

Thanks to a Facebook follower for pointing this out. Be sure to tune in tonight to CBS2 Chicago.

"Please watch Channel 2 news tonight...Dana Kozlov just finished interviewing our neighbors and residents of Edgewater Glen regarding the Ridge closings. Kozlov also told us that Smith is REFUSING interviews on the subject. "

Next week: Gang Awareness Seminar

Gang Awareness Seminar

Monday, April 26 @ 6:30 p.m.
Swedish Covenant Hospital Auditorium
2751 W. Winona

Education program sponsored by Cook County States' Attorney and Chicago Police Department. To rsvp, e-mail ltrier@cookcountygov.com.

Alderman Smith honored by NAMIGC

Earlier this month, Alderman Smith received the Mike Flannery Community Service Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMIGC) for her nursing home initiatives and her work to improve quality of life for the mentally ill. Calling her "indefatigable in her efforts," NAMIGC said it was honoring her "for her dedication to the community in general and to our cause... improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness."

Reminder: Public Meeting on EMC

There will be a public meeting held tonight at 7PM regarding the future of the Edgewater Medical Center site. The meeting will take place in St. Gregory's gym at 1609 W Gregory.

LEED Certification for 1893 Farmhouse?

A farmhouse from 1893 which sits at 5354 N Paulina is being gut rehabbed and it's owners are doing so while pursuing LEED Silver certification. Read more about the sustainable makeover here.

Vote in the poll!

With an election looming in 2011, we're curious if you're happy with Mary Ann Smith as the Alderman of the 48th Ward, or if you think it is time for a change. One reader suggested Harry Osterman run for the office. The Edgewater and Andersonville Facebook page says that small business owners are trying to recruit someone to run. What do you think? Vote in the poll to the right.

Maps of Edgewater on ECC website

The Edgewater Community Council has published a new set of maps related to Edgewater. Unaware of your block club? Unsure of which Aldermanic ward you live in? Click here to check out their handy maps. We've also included a link in the "Links" section on the right for future reference.

Edgewater Historical Society hosts the Golden Age of Radio

Stop by the Edgewater Historical Society and Museum (5358 N. Ashland Ave.) this Saturday at 2PM and watch the Golden Age of Radio come alive. "Those Were The Days Radio Players" will be performing an hour of comedy from radio's golden age. Two comedies will be performed, and the event is free with donations gratefully accepted.

Vandalism in Andersonville

This past Wednesday April 14th, the owner of the Gold Crown Barber Salon (1481 W. Balmoral Ave.) arrived at work to find the business's front window broken. A responding police officer indicated that it appeared a brick or rock had been used to cause the damage, estimated at $500.00.

Sheridan Road - Danger Zone?

A frustrated & concerned reader writes in with concerns about speeding on Sheridan near schools and parks.

"There have been 3 maybe 4 car accidents on Sheridan rd between Glenlake & Granville. One of which, took out the bus shelter by Granville. Luckily, no pedestrians were hurt. This is one block from Sacred Heart grade school and Berger playground. The need for speed reduction on Sheridan rd is now, not when MAS clears her docket.....I was wondering if you could do an article about the law requiring a lowered speed limit around schools and playgrounds. I have been communicating with our alderman, Mary Ann Smith, Doug Fraser and Monica Hammer regarding ... the lack of signage for lowered speed limits by our three schools and two playgrounds on Sheridan Rd. I have also been on them about the "Quiet Zone" laws around hospitals, churches, schools and nursing facilities for nine months. As of this date, she has done nothing. "

There is an Illinois law (see below) that allows the local government to lower the speed limit near parks where speeding can be a heightned danger. What do you think - does Sheridan Road need lower speed limits and related signs near parks and schools?

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2005 and 2006
HB4704
Introduced 1/12/2006, by Rep. John D'Amico
ƒ
625 ILCS 5/11-605.3 new
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes speed limits for park zones where children are present. Provides that units of local government may set maximum speeds of less than 20 miles per hour for park zones. Provides that (i) exceeding the posted speed limit while passing a park zone or in an area where children are going to or coming from a park zone or (ii) failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or signal, including a signal at which a right turn on red is permitted, in an area where a park zone speed limit applies, is a violation of the new provision. Provides that a violation of the new provision is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second or subsequent offense. Provides that the violator shall be charged an additional $50, to be paid to the park district for safety purposes. Provides that, within 6 months of the effective date of the new provision, the Department of Transportation shall design a set of standardized traffic signs for park zones and park zone streets, the design of which shall be made available to all units of local government or manufacturers at no charge except for reproduction and postage.
LRB094 17117 DRH 52404 b

In Bloom

The scene along Berwyn Ave. about 30 minutes ago. Does anyone know what these beautiful flowering trees are?

CBS2 Article on Edgewater Medical Center

From CBS2:

Parties Tussle Over Use For Old Edgewater Hospital

Community Groups Want Park; Owners Likely Have Other Ideas

CHICAGO (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge

1 of 1

The old Edgewater Medical Center at 5700 N. Ashland Ave. will likely be razed for redevelopment.

CBS

A French bank could be on a collision course with a community on Chicago's North Side over a big piece of property where a hospital closed nearly a decade ago.

Community groups say they desperately need a park there, CBS 2's Jim Williams reports.

Benji Damron brings his son Maslo to the only play lot or park close to their home in Edgewater. It's a tiny area behind a grocery store loading dock, alongside two busy streets.

There's not much open space in the densely populated neighborhood. But one block away, Chris Swan sees enormous potential.

It's an eyesore now: the old Edgewater Medical Center at 5700 N. Ashland Ave., which has been closed for nearly 10 years and is falling apart.

Continue reading

UPDATE: Dahlia found

UPDATE: Dahlia was found as of 4/19/10. We have been informed that Dahlia was found, injured, at Foster Beach. We are happy for the owners and wish Dahlia a speedy recovery.


The Uptown Update shared this - a reader of theirs needs help finding Dahlia:

"my friend's dog was lost today in andersonville/uptown. her name is dahlia, and she's 2 years old and about 20 lbs. her photo is attached. please have readers call 224-489-2726 with any information!"

Murder-Suicide in Andersonville

It saddens us to report that an elderly couple were found dead this morning in their home on the 1600 block of West Balmoral in an apparent murder suicide. The elderly couple were found by police after their caretake, who had stopped by to check in on them, could not get into the home and called 911.

Source: ChicagoBreakingNews.com

Chicago Festival of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film

Chicago Festival of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film
April 17th & 18th
Cost: FREE
Location: Loyola University

www.chicagobhfilm.org

An Evening of Music + Film

"An Evening of Music + Film" featuring the SDS Trio and Group Mind Films

Edgewater Beach Cafe

5545 N Sheridan

Saturday, April 17

Doors open at 7 p.m.

First set starts at 8 p.m./ Second set starts at 9:30 p.m.

It costs $30 for an individual or $40 for a couple. You get:

-The SDS Trio's CD, "This is the SDS Trio"

-The DVD of "American Legacy"

-One free drink

Call 773-407-7552 for tickets or buy at the door

Click here to read a review by NPR on the event.

YogaNow update

As we previously posted, YogaNow has lost their lease and will be closing its Edgewater location (5852 N Broadway) Sunday, May 2nd. However, according to this post on ChicagoNow, YogaNow owner and studio manager have found an interim location to move in to on May 10th. Unfortunately the article does not specify the new location, but we will post it if/when we find out. Yoga Now is looking for help through donations, volunteers for the move, and is also selling cookies in a fundraising effort at its studios. In addition, they are holding a free community class and closing party at the Edgewater location on May 2 from 6-7:30 pm.

Lost Dog

(Click flyer to enlarge)

Loyola Republicans present: Christoper Horner

Best-selling - and controversial - author Christopher C. Horner will be on Loyola University Chicago's Lake Shore Campus, Chicago on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 to discuss the truth behind global warming, "climate change," and environmental extremism. Horner is the honored year-end lecturer chosen by the Loyola University Chicago College Republicans and will present "The 'Truth' Behind Global Warming."

Where: Loyola University, Mundelein Auditorium (1032 W. Sheridan Road)
When: Wednesday, April 28th from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free to Loyola Students with ID; $5.00 to the public (to be paid at the door).
Parking: Access to the Campus Parking Garage will be available (enter at Sheridan Road). Street parking is available on Kenmore and Winthrop. Located near the Loyola CTA Red Line.

Source: Chicago News Bench

Alderman Smith: Avoiding the Ridge parking issue?

A reader writes in:
Monday night at Mary Ann Smith's meeting at St. Gertrude's...One of the major topics was supposed to be the proposed parking meters on Ridge idea being floated around. However,Ms. Smith decided to leave early to avoid discussion on the topic, and instead left her chief of staff Doug Fraser to fend off the rather vocal crowd.

Did anyone else attend the meeting? For more info about Smith's plans (and your fellow Edgewater neighbors comments/feedback) click here to read our prior post from October.

Residents hope to turn Edgewater Medical Center site into public park

Multiple readers emailed to inform us of a new movement to turn the site of the Edgewater Medical Center into a public park. It is our understanding that this effort is being led by the West Edgewater Area Residents (WEAR) neighborhood group. WEAR has started an online petition which already has over 200 signatures. For more info, or to sign the petition click here.

All About Andersonville

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
6:00-8:00pm
Hosted at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N Clark Street

Tickets: $25 in advance, $35 at the door.
Hors d’oeuvres and one free drink included

The evening will include:
* Cocktail music provided by Ellen Shepard and Drew Edwards *
* Bette Davis “hostesses” from your favorite eras! Featuring the fabulous Velicity Metropolis, Teri Yaki, Angelique Munroe, Debbie Fox *
* Quest Theater’s Jason Bowen emceeing *

Helicopter buzzes Edgewater Beach

This morning around 4:30am a helicopter (not sure if it was police, news, or ...) was hovering very low for quite some time over the south end of Edgewater Beach around the area between Foster/Bryn Mawr and Broadway/Sheridan. Did anyone else notice this or know what it was doing?

UPDATE: A resident of the Park Tower high rise at 5415 N. Sheridan Rd. indicated there was a fire there early this morning, in which one person died.

Chicago Tribune article

Nominations wanted for Best of Edgewater awards

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its Best of Edgewater awards in the following categories: Green Business of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, New Edgewater Business of the Year, Growing Business of the Year, and Customer Service of the Year.

Nominees must be an active member of the chamber - for a complete list click here. Please send your nominations to us by email to info@edgewater.org by April 23 for consideration.

3rd Annual Zombie Pub Crawl

The third annual Zombie Pub Crawl will take place April 24th at 2pm at bars throughout Andersonville. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Alternatives' 8K Run For Youth, May 23rd

While this event is still a while off, the cost will only be $30 through next Wednesday, April 14th. You can register at Alternatives Youth. The organization is also looking for volunteers to help out on the day of the race, doing this like handing out water to runners, or helping to direct and register them. All proceeds from the event will benefit Alternatives, Inc.

If you're interested in volunteering, or have any questions or comments please contact Stephanie Demarest with Alternatives, Inc. She can be reached at (773) 506-7474 ext. 233, or drop her an email at sdemarest@alternativesyouth.org.

Street Sweeping Schedule

The return of warm weather means the return of street sweeping and the city's fancy fluorescent no parking signs. Click this link for a schedule of street sweeping, thanks to Mary Ann Smith's office. Also, check with the 48th Ward Streets & Sanitation office, (312) 744-2130, for confirmation if you will be out of town for an extended period. Their hours are 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Sunday: Chelsea Handler @ Women & Children First bookstore

Stand-up comedian, talk show host, and best-selling author Chelsea Handler will be at Women & Children First (5233 N Clark) this Sunday, April 11th from 5-6:15pm.

IMPORTANT: You must purchase her book from Women & Children First. Click here for further details

Census 2010 March

Edgewater residents are encouraged to participate in the Edgewater Census March this Saturday, April 10th at 1PM to promote awareness to the importance of getting every Edgewater resident to complete their census form. The March will be held at Park #157 (5914 N Sheridan) and is organized by the Edgewater Complete Count Committee. There will be giveaways, as well as music and entertainment at the "After March Party" being held at the same park.

Stop Yellow Pages delivery

If you're like a lot of people who find receiving multiple versions/copies of the Yellow Pages directories useless and wasteful in todays electronic age, you can choose to opt out from receiving future delivery of the books on this website.

History of the "L"

Saturday, April 17th at noon -- The Edgewater Historical Society is presenting a program to be held at the Museum at 5358 N. Ashland Ave. The author and speaker is Greg Borzo, who will talk about his photographs of the Chicago "L", the history of the "L", and his favorite "L" movies. He will be selling signed copies of his book at a discount. The event is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. The museum is open every Saturday from noon-4pm and upon request.

The Edgewater Historical Society Museum
5358 N. Ashland Chicago, Il 60640
773-506-4849
www.edgewaterhistory.org

Progress on new Dominick's

The new Dominick's, targeted to open in the fall located on the Northeast corner of Sheridan and Foster is progressing along. For a rendering of what the Dominick's will look like when completed, click here.

(from the North)
(from the southwest corner of Foster & Sheridan)

2nd Meet your Neighbors Dinner

April 13, 2010, 7:00 PM

TheNeighborhoodFirst.org is holding the second Edgewater "Meet your neighbors" dinner at Ethiopian Diamond (6120 N. Broadway Ave).

To RSVP, email dan@theneighborhoodfirst.org.

Architecture & Stained Glass Presentation

On Sunday, April 11, at 3:30 at St. Ita Church, 5500 N. Broadway, Dr. Dennis McNamara will give a presentation on the architecture and stained glass of St. Ita Church.

Dr.McNamara is a scholar of church architecture and art at the Liturgical Institute. In 2005 he co-authored with James Morris the book, Heavenly City: The Architectural Tradition of Catholic Chicago.

With the exception of St. James Chapel at the former Quigley Preparatory Seminary, St. Ita Church is considered the most authentic example of French Gothic architecture in Chicago.