Lost Dog

Help a neighbor find their furry friend!

Lost white/gray/gold (no tags)
Shih-Tzu
Last seen on Hollywood Beach/Sheridan rd Saturday afternoon.
Please help bring her home today.

Please call 312-403-5400

CWBC Garage Sale, Saturday June 5th

SAVE THE DATE

FOR…….

THE CARMEN AND WINONA BLOCK CLUB SIDEWALK/GARAGE SALE…!

When: Saturday, June 5th

Time: 9 AM to 5PM

Where: Along Carmen and Winona Between Sheridan Road and Marine Drive

$11/fee

If paying by check please remit to: Gary Hackley, Treasurer 921 W. Winona St, Chicago IL 60640

Checks payable to: Carmen Winona Block Club, sidewalk sale on the memo line

May also pay by check or cash morning of the event

The Bark Bark Club helps oil spill clean up efforts

The Bark Bark Club (5943 N. Broadway) has joined forces with various entities to donate animal fur and human hair in order to help clean up the Gulf Coast oil spill. The Loyola Phoenix and Lake Effect News both have great coverage on the efforts being put forth.

Cosmos & Sex and the City 2

The New 400 Theater (6746 N Sheridan) is hosting a Sex and the City 2 movie viewing party. For $22 you get a ticket to the movie (7:30PM) as well as cosmos and appetizers from 6:45 until the movie starts. Must be 21 to consume alcohol.

* yes, we realize this theater is located in Rogers Park...but its the closest one for Edgewater residents - we recommend you check it out! Also, the business is a member of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.

Call For Artists - Edgewater Arts Festival

Artists are invited to take part in the Edgewater Arts Festival. This year's festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 17th and 18th in Berger Park (6205 N. Sheridan Rd.). The festival runs from 10AM to 5PM both days, and will also celebrate the Edgewater Community Council's 50th anniversary. If you're interested in learning more about participating, check out the Chicago Artists Resource for more details!

Burke's applies for liquor license

According to EveryBlock Chicago, Burke's (5401 N Broadway) has applied for a liquor license on May 26th. We previously reported about Burke's coming to the neighborhood in October 2009, but recently began to wonder about it's status as work has not seemed to progressed on the renovation of the location in the last 4-6 months.

Reminder: Lakeshore Drive closed Sunday morning

Remember, Lakeshore Drive will be closed from 5:30AM to 10:30AM this Sunday, May 30th for the Bike the Drive event.

Movies in the Park Schedule released

Movies in the Park will go on this summer, afterall. Check out the complete list here, on the Center Square Journal. Victor Victoria will be playing on Saturday, June 26th at Osterman Beach.

Taste of Bryn Mawr: June 10th

(click to enlarge)

Sun Times reviews "2,000 Feet Away"

The Chicago Sun Times yesterday reviewed the Steep Theater's (1115 W Berwyn) latest play, 2,000 Feet Away. You can read the review yourself here, but two words that critic Hedy Weiss uses to describe the show are "flop" and "mess." Steep Theater was recently recognized with the 2010 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theater award.

Edgewater/Andersonville residents walk against violence

Members of the Immanuel Lutheran church held a prayer walk this weekend in response to a recent uptick of violence in the neighborhood. Around 40 people walked in the heat, escorted by a Chicago police officer, to Senn High School, down Broadway and back to the church.

Read more on this story at Chicago Now.

More news coverage on Ridge parking issue

Putting brakes on Ridge?

City thinking about allowing parking to slow night traffic on North Side artery

May 24, 2010

BY MARY WISNIEWSKI The Ride (Chicago Sun Times)

Ridge Avenue, which runs on the North Side through the Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods, has an interesting history. Also known as U.S. 14, it's one of the original U.S. highways. It travels through Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood hometown of Walnut Grove, Minn. -- made famous in Little House on the Prairie -- all the way to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Most daily drivers on Ridge, however, aren't thinking about Old Faithful. They're focused on using Ridge to get to and from the north suburbs and Lake Shore Drive.

Continue reading

March in the Memorial Day Parade with the Edgewater Historical Society

Join the Edgewater Historical Society as they march in the 2010 Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31st. The staging area will be on Rosehill Dr. between Ashland and Ravenswood at 9:30 AM. A ceremony for Civil War veterans (and all of our veterans) will follow the parade, and is very worthwhile for any history buff. The ceremony will take place at Rosehill Cemetery.

A Neighborhood Appreciation Party will follow at Ravenswood Pub, 5455 N. Ravenswood.

Free home repairs for seniors via ECC

The Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (formerly H-RAIL) program provides free home repairs including safety, security, and accessibility improvements that better assist seniors to remain in their homes.

Home repair program participants must meet income limit restrictions and must be at least 60 years of age.

For additional information please contact:
Merita Mila at 773-381-1346 or merita@edgewatercommunitycouncil.org.

Next Beat 2433 CAPS Meeting

The next CAPS meeting for Beat 2433 will be held on Tuesday, May 25th at 7pm. The meeting will take place at the Edgewater Library (1210 W. Elmdale).

Uncommon Ground recognized

From the Uncommon Ground (1401 W Devon) website:

Uncommon Ground's West Devon location is now

a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant®! In accordance to the

national non-profit Green Restaurant Association's certification

guidelines, we've earned over 225 points and we've significantly

reduced our environmental impact with steps including: low-flow

spray valves that conserve water, energy efficient hand-dryers in

our bathrooms, sourcing local foods, using reclaimed wood in our

decor, non-toxic paints, organic cotton uniforms, full- scale recycling

and composting, and much more! For additional info about the GRA's program and our Certification, visit www.dinegreen.com .

Midsommarfest Lineup Announced

Can you believe Midsommarfest is just 3 weeks away? The lineup of entertainment acts for the popular street festival occuring June 12th and 13th have been announced and include Funkadesi, Hairbangers Ball, Mike & Joe, Canasta, 7th Heaven, 16 Candles and more! Check out the full lineup here: Midsommerfest Entertainment Schedule

New Poll: Best Burger in Edgewater

This Chicago Reader article, "Between the Bun: 22 places for burgers," inspires us to ask our readers in our newest poll located in the upper right hand corner of this page:

What is your favorite spot for a burger in Edgewater? Hamburger Mary's, Edgewater Lounge, Moody's, or Five Guys? Additional suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

Saturday: Senn High School Fine Art Fest

5th Annual Fine Art Fest at Senn High School

5900 N Glenwood
Enjoy fine art, music, and more. Hot dogs, soda and chips will be available.
Plus, custom t-shirts and henna tattoos. Proceeds will benefit Red Cross Earthquake Relief!

Poll Results: NO to proposed plan for parking on Ridge

114 people voted in our most recent poll regarding Alderman Smith's plan to add parking along Ridge Avenue. An overwhelming majority, 71%, stated that they are against the plan, while only 28% voted in support of it.

Sticker Shock

(photo from the Kitchen Sink blog)

According to the Kitchen Sink's blog, three storefronts along Berwyn Avenue just east of the Red Line were vandalized by stickers. Kitchen Sink, Perfection Salon and Fontana Shoe's front windows each had the stickers on them when they opened business on Thursday. The stickers appear to be US Postal Service mailing labels with the word "Mayan" hand written on them.

May 25th: Renter's Workshop

Chicago Filmmaker's Trash or Treasure Sale

Chicago Filmmaker's (5243 N Clark) is holding a Trash or Treasure sale on Saturday, May 22nd and Sunday, May 23rd from 12PM - 4PM. For sale will be tons of A/V equipment, cameras, tape decks, and more.

Andersonville featured in Photo of the Day at Camera-Chi

This shot was taken on Clark St., but I can't tell exactly where. You can check out Camera-Chi's blog for more great photos like this one. Their website provides more information if you're interested.

necessary exTRAVagance Now Open

Photo courtesy of necex on Flickr

Speaking of Clark St. shopping, eco-friendly necessary exTRAVagance (5416 N. Clark) opened this past weekend. The shop features an impressive selection of home accessories including bedding, ceramics, clocks and outdoor living items. Given the weather expected this weekend you may want to stop by!

ECC Annual Meeting and Luncheon, Friday 5/21

Join the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce on May 21st as they honor State Representative Harry Osterman as the Pride of Edgewater winner, and former ECC Director Sheli Lulkin as their Lifetime Acheivement award winner. The ECC will also be honoring the Best of Edgewater award winners.

The luncheon will take place at The Breakers at Edgewater Beach (5333 N. Sheridan Rd.). The cost is $50 per ticket, which includes a raffle ticket. You can also reserve a table for 8 for $350.

Register here, and you can pay online or pay at the door! If you have any questions, email the ECC at info@edgewater.org, or give them a call at (773) 561-6000.

Neighborhood developments from Town Hall meeting

Alderman O'Connor hosted a town hall meeting on Monday (5/17/10) evening to discuss the state of the 40th ward. A reader sent us the following very interesting updates of developments in the area:

- Potbelly is considering moving into the 5300 block of Clark in the former Ericskon Jewelers space
- Lady Gregory's will soon open at Clark & Balmoral
- Walgreen's purchase of Thybony space was confirmed
- Thybody is moving south, to the space formerly occupied by a laundromat
- Target on Peterson is remodeling to expand their grocery section
- Rosehill Cemetary is finalizing financing for a 25-acre arboretum with walking trails.

Friends of West Edgewater Park launch website

Photo courtesy of Friends of Edgewater Park on Flickr

A reader writes in:
"As follow up to your post about Edgewater residents' attempt to have the Edgewater Medical Center made into a public park, I wanted to share some follow-up information.

Friends of West Edgewater Park (as the park committee is unofficially being called) has developed a website to help further their mission. I wanted to share the address and encourage members of the community to visit it and share their thoughts. There are also some fun before/after photos depicting what the site will look like if converted to a park. They need as much public support as possible to make this happen! The site is: http://wepark.wordpress.com/"

Reminder: ECC Fundraiser this Friday

Man robbed at gunpoint @ Lakewood/Granville

From EveryBlock Chicago:
"I was walking home from Stella Espresso around 10pm. As I approached Granville Ave walking south on Lakewood I heard footsteps come up behind me. The footsteps grew quicker so I decided to cross the street. As I crossed the street the followed. I turned to see who it what when an African-American male, about 5'8" wearing a brown hoodie with white design on the front said, "Give me the bag." (referring to my laptop bag) when I didn't respond immediately he pulled out a gun. He took my laptop bag, which is a brown Ogio messenger bag. He headed north on lakewood and then east on rosemont. I flagged down a car and was able to called the cops."

Busted: Edgewater woman arrested in illegal DVD operation

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:

A 34-year-old woman was arrested for her role in an international operation that sold illegal DVDs, the Cook County sheriff's office said today.

Akpezi Mokedi is charged with unlawful use of unidentified sound or audio/visual recordings, a felony, after almost 6,500 pirated DVDs were seized from her apartment in the 5800 block of North Sheridan Road in Chicago's Edgewater Beach neighborhood on the North Side, the sheriff's office said.

Mokedi, a Nigerian national who came to Chicago in 2001 on a student visa to study for a degree in computer science, was obtaining the DVDs by the caseload on an almost daily basis from an illegal overseas operation, the sheriff's office said. They also said she would set up online accounts to sell the DVDs, which varied in quality, "to those searching popular websites, including Amazon, for specific shows."

Continue reading

Also read: Nigerian To Be Deported After Pirate DVD Operation Cracked (WBBM780)

Edgewater man struck, killed by Metra train

Our thoughts go out to the family of George Makris, 70, who was fatally struck by a Metra train on the Milwaukee North Train Friday afternoon. Makris resided at the 5700 block of North Sheridan.

Source: WBBM780

The Buzz turns 2!

This weekend marks the 2 year point from when the Edgewater Community Buzz (originally the Edgewater Crime Blotter) first launched in May 2008 after being inspired by fellow bloggers in neighboring Uptown and Rogers Park. Our goal was to create a forum for residents to obtain and discuss information related specifically to our beautiful Chicago neighborhood. We hope you enjoy the Buzz and continue to find it useful.

Death ruled homicide

From CBS2 Chicago/Sun Times Newsire:

The body of a man that was shot multiple times, wrapped in a bed sheet and duct-taped was found Friday in the back of a car that belongs to a missing Rogers Park man.

The car belongs to Kirk Flowers, a missing Rogers Park man last seen May 8, according to his brother James Loague who said the family and police have confirmed the car's license plates.
Continue reading

Additional news coverage: Chicago Sun Times; CBS2Chicago; WGN

Secure your bike!

Seen at the Berwyn Red Line stop today around 9:30 AM

Body found in car on Rosemont

According to a follower on our Facebook page, as well as ChicagoBreakingNews.com, a body was found in a car in the 1400 block of Rosemont in Edgewater. There was police activity in the area around a sedan which had the front passenger window shot or broken out. We will post more details as we obtain them.

Source: ChicagoBreakingNews.com

5/15/2010 Update: An autopsy is expected today to determine the cause of death for a male whose body was found Friday wrapped in a blanket and duct tape in the back seat of a vehicle in the Edgewater neighborhood.

The car was found in the 1400 block of West Rosemont Avenue, Chicago Police Officer Dan O'Brien said. It was unclear what happened to the person in the car.

The body was in a locked 2008 Dodge Charger that had signs of smoke and fire damage inside the vehicle, according to a police source. The vehicle was taken to the Cook County medical examiner's office with the body inside to keep evidence intact, police said.
Continue reading the story at ChicagoBreakingNews.com.

Clark/Ridge SBIF Rollout Meeting, Tuesday 5/18

MDT (4619 N. Broadway) after receiving the SBIF treatment!

If you've got a business located within the Clark/Ridge SBIF (Small Business Improvement Fund) area and you're looking to improve the interior or exterior of your establishment, you may want to consider attending this meeting at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway) on Tuesday, May 18th. The meeting will run from 3-5PM, and SBIF Program Administrators will be on hand to give a presentation about the program and related application process.

Study Analyzes Ridge Traffic

From Alderman Smith's eNewsletter:
At Alderman Mary Ann Smith's request, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) did a study to look at how changes in traffic patterns could improve the safety and quality of life along Ridge Avenue between Broadway and Clark. Priorities included providing better connections between neighbors and community resources, giving an assist to the emerging Ridge arts corridor and, perhaps, adding parking along Ridge during non-peak times. The study was presented at the monthly 48th Ward Zoning and Planning Committee meeting and is posted on the Edgewater blog. You can download the complete study, read your neighbors' thoughts on the issue and add your own comments at the Edgewater blog.

Tell us what you think in our poll to the right: Do you support Alderman Smith's plan for parking on Ridge?

Beware of Census Scams

As previously reported in February, be aware of Census scams.

From the CPD:

Census takers have begun visiting households that failed to mail back their 2010 questionnaire. They will also be clarifying contradictory or ambiguous data on previously returned forms.

The Chicago Police Department and the U.S. Census Bureau want residents to be aware of potential scams and have provided the following tips:

• People should be aware that the Census doesn't use e-mail to count people. Residents should not respond to any e-mail claiming to be from the Census Bureau.

• The Census Bureau never asks for Social Security numbers, credit card, bank card or other financial passwords and identification numbers. Do not share that information.

• If a census worker knocks on your door, he or she should have a badge and a second picture id. According to the bureau, a census worker never asks to enter your home.

For assistance or to report fraud, residents should call 311. To be counted over the phone residents can call 311 or the Census Bureau Telephone Questionnaire Assistance (TQA) – an operator will interview you over the phone in order to complete the Census questionnaire verbally. The service is available in six languages.

Owner of Northside Toyota purchases building

From Crain's Chicago:

"The owner of Chicago North Side Toyota Scion obtained a $3.84-million loan from Toyota Motor Credit Corp. to buy its site at 5625 N. Broadway in Edgewater. The owner, the Bob Loquercio Auto Group, had leased the site for about five years and bought it last month from the family of the prior dealer, Perry Snower of Metro Toyota. Mr. Loquercio says he is seeking neighborhood approval for a zoning change that would allow him to renovate and double the size of the 30,000-square-foot dealership."

Cab Collision in Edgewater, 1 hurt

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that 1 person is hurt after a cab ran over a median in an attempt to avoid debris in the road on Ashland at Catalpa this morning just after midnight. Two tires blew out on the left side of the vehicle and one passenger was injured and sent to Weiss Memorial Hospital, while the driver and another passenger refused medical attention.

Pancake Breakfast & Rummage Sale

Epworth's 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast and Rummage Sale
Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 5253 N. Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
Come and have a hot stack of fresh made pancakes and coffee. Afterwards, browse and find something you have to have at the rummage sale - most items only $3. Pancake batter generously provided by Pauline's (1754 West Balmoral Avenue) and coffee provided by Starbuck's. All proceed go towards Epworth's Capital Campaign Fund.

Body found in Lake Michigan @ 6100 N Sheridan

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:

Man's body found in Lake Michigan on North Side
May 11, 2010 10:34 AM

The body of an unidentified male was found on rocks along Lake Michigan this morning on the North Side, Chicago police said.

The manager of a nearby building called 911 after a resident there saw the body about 9:15 a.m., said Officer John Mirabelli, a police spokesman. It was found just east of the 6100 block of North Sheridan Road.

Mirabelli said the police department's marine unit responded to the scene.

Further details weren't immediately available.

Fire Department against Smith's Ridge parking plan

CLICK HERE to watch last night's CBS2 Chicago story regarding Alderman Smith's proposed plans for adding overnight parking on Ridge Avenue. The Chicago Fire Department is against the plan.

Signs and Wonders, Mitzuit Community Art Exhibit

Mitzuit Jewish Community Art Exhibit; featuring artwork from 20 area artists from the Jewish Community in and around the Chicagoland area will open at the North Lakeside Cultural Center, 6219 Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, May 16, 2010 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

For more info click here.

Found Cat

From Craigslist:

FOUND: Cat, mostly gray with white paws/legs, face, and belly, found at 10pm Saturday night (May 8th) in the Jewel parking lot in Andersonville. He seems totally fine, just a little freaked out--he was darting from car to car, hiding and meowing. I lured him out with cat treats, and as soon as I picked him up, he started kneading my shoulder and purring. He obviously belongs to someone. Please email me ASAP and send a pic of him if you have one, so I know you're her/his owner!

Please respond via the Craigslist ad if this cat belongs to you or someone you know!

Edgewater condo prices up, Andersonville down

According to Baird & Warner realtor Fran Bailey's blog, the median sales price of condos in the Edgewater zipcode 60660 were up 1% over the last 365 days, while the Andersonville zip code of 60640 saw prices fall 9.4% during the same time period. Read the story and her blog here.

Happy Anniversary, George's

This weekend is George's Ice Cream & Sweet's (5306 N Clark) first anniversary. Come out today (Saturday) for some ice cream and treats from 2pm - 6pm to help them celebrate.

Francesca's adds outdoor seating

A reader informs us that Francesca's has joined the Dining Alfresco club and added outdoor seating on the sidewalk along the east side of the restaurant.

In addition, That Little Mexican Cafe, who had outdoor seating last summer, has more outdoor seating this year due to the recent sidewalk.

If you're looking for a great location to eat outdoors, we suggest you check them out!

Beat 2023 CAPS meeting

The next CAPS meeting for beat 2023 will be held on Thursday, May 13th at 7pm. The meeting will take place at 5225 N Kenmore.

Grand Opening: The Edge Gallery

From the Edgewater Community Council:

Tree House Humane Society

Recently we featured a cat that was found wandering along Winthrop Ave., and the good people at the Tree House Humane Society tell us that someone contacted them about him. While he unfortunately didn't match any of the flyers the Tree House currently has up, you should know that they are a nonprofit, no-kill and cageless shelter for stray cats. They give them health exams, rehabilitate them if they are sick or injured, and put them up for adoption.

If you find a lost cat in the neighborhood, the Tree House can write up an admissions request form. Feel free to contact them at (773) 784-5488 ext. 0.

Edgewater Beach and PBR - what a pair!

Check out this advertisement for PBR (click the image to enlarge it) - apparently the Blue Ribbon winning beer was a preferred beverage at the Edgewater Beach Hotel.

Teacher's Wish List

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and in an effort to help local teachers, Alderman Smith, Senator Steans and Representative Osterman have teamed up to form a Teacher Supply Drive. The program is seeking much needed items requested by teachers for their classrooms. On average teachers spend $500 of their own money on supplies for their classroom, so any donations from slightly used to new are greatly appreciated. To view the list of items needed at 7th District schools, visit: www.senatorsteans.com/teacherwishlist

Planning & Development meeting

EDC-ECC Planning & Development Meeting
Thursday, May 6, 2010 @ 7PM
ECC Conference Room
6044 N. Broadway

Agenda:

Loyola University will be making a presentation about their Planned Development #34 as presented on May 6, 2010. They are requesting community support of this plan. Planned Development #34 includes the following:

-University Overview
-6 Sub Areas w/ Multiple Addresses
-Parking/transportation
-Campus Design Guidelines & Environmental Sustainability
-11 Future Development Sites (most of which are located on campus proper)

The purpose of the Planning & Development meeting is for the community to hear presentations on proposals for new developments & new businesses, zoning change requests, special permit requests, and community planning issues. The presentations are followed by informative discussions with input from individuals with skills and knowledge relevant to the topics.

The standard meeting date is the first Thursday of the month. If no development, zoning, business permit or related proposals are before the Committee, the meeting may be cancelled. Watch for e-mails or call for more information: 773-334-5609 or 773-506-4016.

More boozin' along the beach?

The Chicago Tribune reports that Mayor Daley and the Park District are proposing to increase the number of liquor licenses from 12 to 25 along the lakefront, including adding new liquor licenses at the Montrose Beach Harbor and the Osterman Beach House. Park advocacy groups even support the move, as it would drum up more money for the Chicago Park District without raising taxes.

Read more: Chicago Tribune.

Last week: Shots fired on Kenmore

From Lake Effect News:
Shots Fired During Robbery On Kenmore
A 34-year-old man was shot at during a robbery on the 5800 block of North Kenmore around 3:18 a.m. April 22. The victim told police that he was sitting in his car with a 25-year-old woman when her boyfriend, also 25, walked over to the car and stuck a gun in his face, demanding money. The victim complied and the woman got out of his car and started smashing the windows with a pry tool. The couple fled in a Nissan Altima driving by a third man. The boyfriend shot at the victim’s seven times as they fled. No one was injured.