Aldermen are being urged to give up their recent pay hike to help balance the city budget. Wonder how Ald. Shiller feels about this? Read all about it at the Sun-Times here.

...edge of the 46th ward that is. Nice we can share our wealth with the folks who butt up against our ward in the 800 block of West Grace in Lakeview. Read about it at the Tribune here
and at the Sun-Times here.

FixWilsonYard is now on Facebook. Simply search for Fix Wilson Yard and add them to your friend list today!

Here is the view at Broadway and Leland under the L tracks from 1926. This is the current day location of the "Majestic Men's Store." It's strange to see this CTA bridge in such pristine condition, but 80 years of wear, tear and neglect will do that to a bridge.
above photo courtesy: University of Minnesota archive
bottom photo courtesy: "Mark2400" at Flickr.

A reader sent in a photo this morning from Graeme Stewart Park near Broadway and Sunnyside. Mmmmmm, that grass looks so green and soft. Looks like the perfect spot to take a nap, or maybe take a load off. To be continued.

"Trip Films," a site that features informative travel videos from around the world, visited Uptown recently. Check out their report here.

A reader sent in a photo from this morning (Sunday) showing the bus shelter at Broadway and Montrose just in front of the world famous Azusa Liquors with the glass broken out. No word if this was from a gunshot, or if someone was tired of waiting on the #36 Broadway bus.

A reader reports from The Raven festival:

If you guys weren't at the Raven yesterday, its not too late! Its really the greatest street fair I've been to in recent years. ALL ORIGINAL BANDS. HUGE kids area with ponies, climbing wall, etc. Great little market vendors, not your average sunglasses & one hitters. A "bags" tournament. A misting tent. Bike valet. Dunk tank. Oh and funnel cake of course.

The M's are headlining tonight.

Yesterday was a great day for Chase Park. Tim Mitchell (CEO of Park District) brought at check for $333,000. Gene Shulter brought a check for $200,000. Chase Park Advisory Council is well on its way to raising the other 1/3 of a million dollars to rebuild the playground (which is only phase one -- think dog park!)

Anyway, all I wanted to say was all the folks reading this, it's a GORGEOUS DAY and there is a fantastic place to get out and see your neighbors and have some wood oven fired pizza or a smoothie - all local food vendors.

Sorry you can't get your photo taken on a giant fake wave, but you can listen to some incredible local indie bands (sorry, no Mr. Blotto here)

Hope to see some of you out there! (James & Richard were working at the West Gate yesterday as volunteers - feel free to come to the volunteer tent and help out!)

A reader puns: "Nice to see that the city's not always talking out its asphalt as far as fixing the streets goes."

Image: (above) CJ from "Uptown Landmarks and Legends" and Google Maps

FI-NAL-LY!

From the Tribune: "The long-awaited resurfacing of a section of North Lake Shore Drive pocked with potholes will begin next week, city officials said Friday. The work will be done during off-peak hours. It will start in the southbound lanes between Irving Park Road and Foster Avenue through November, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation. Work on the northbound lanes between Irving Park and Foster will follow in spring, CDOT said."

In other words, there's a lot to do in the Uptown and surrounding areas this weekend.

There's The Sheridan Park Yard Sale (Montrose to Lawrence, Broadway to Clark) on Saturday, August 16th. More than 50 families /addresses are participating.

With all the money you saved at the Yard Sale, head on over to The Raven Festival at Chase Park, with 19 different bands, and tons of activities. Saturday, August 16th (Noon - 10 p.m.) and Sunday, August 17th (Noon - 8 p.m.)

"Growing 2008," the second bricolage mural at the Bryn Mawr/LSD underpass, will be dedicated on Saturday, August 16 at 10 a.m. The mural on the south wall is the companion to "Living 2007" on the north wall. The dedication will honor the artists, including 31 youth artists from Alternatives, Inc. who worked on the installation, and celebrate the 48th Ward community with music and refreshments.

We also hear that there's something with boats and planes downtown.

Zoom...
You know it's that time of year when you hear the jets flying overhead preparing for the Air & Water Show. A reader just sent in this photo from this afternoon. How many car alarms have been triggered by the noise today? We have heard several at least.

If you haven't done so yet, please visit the WAMA website. You can purchase your "Experience Uptown" wristband for $10 which will get you great discounts at Uptown businesses on September 12, 13 and 14. Click on the "PayPal" icon on the WAMA website to purchase your wristband. The list of participating businesses is growing and the response has been great. Here are just a few of the great deals: Alma Pita, buy any sandwich and get chips and pop for FREE. At Crew you can get a 20% discount off your bill INCLUDING alcohol. There are at least 34 ways for you to save during Experience Uptown.
Please remember that all proceeds from this event will go back into the community in the form of beautification projects on Wilson and business development. Also, check out our Uptown Update Shop and get a great UU t-shirt to wear to show your support for us. All proceeds from these items will go to WAMA as well. The link will stay off on the right.

Lots of activity today at the Riv rehab site. It appears the Riv Theatre is thankfully joining in on the rehab craze sweeping Uptown. A large boom is in front of the theatre and workers are attaching a wire-mesh to the top terra-cotta section of the building. Notice the white plywood boxes that have been attached to the old movie poster marquees on each side of the main entrance. Any restoration junkies out there who care to chime in on what they think is going on? In a related note, check out the Uptown Broadway Building if you get a chance. More glass has been added and the checkerboard tile entrances have made a return.

Several readers have written in alerting us to CBS2's Summer Shooting Tracker. Check it out for yourself. According to the map, we have had one shooting in Uptown this summer. That's news to us.

From the Uptown Crime Blotter:

We have noticed that many of the sidewalks in Uptown have out-of-control weeds. Case in point, these weeds on Lawrence, next to St. Boniface Cemetery which measure at least 3 1/2 feet tall. There are some spots on Lawrence where the weeds tower over the neighboring parked cars. Yikes.

From BPN and the wife of "Uptown Rising:"

I was at Buena Park Playlot with my baby daughter at approx. 11:15 this morning. Walked home, was home for about 30-40 min and my buzzer rang. A woman said she was from the "US Dept of Health" and was here for a "Baby Wellness Check." I inquired why I had not received any prior notification, and she said they "send letters and call." I asked if she had any other information and I believe she said my last name (which she could have gotten from the buzzer). I told her that I was not comfortable with letting her in and she said "this neighborhood is really hard to park in and didn't want to have to come back". I said sorry and wouldn't let her in. It all seemed very shady...

I called several friends with babies and no one has heard of "Baby Wellness Checks". I called the IL Dept of Health and they have never heard of this practice. I called the Chicago Dept of Health and they too said they do not randomly do this practice. I was transferred to 3-1-1 then transferred to the police. If they come back I will call the police again.

If anyone has more information regarding the situation above, please post. If this is legit, I apologize for my cautious nature. It was just very strange and I want all parents in the neighborhood to be aware of the situation. Again, the police are notified...

Update: Just a reminder that there will be a "Fix Wilson Yard" Meeting tonight (8/14) at 7pm at Buena Pointe at 4350 N. Broadway.

In what is, unfortunately, a longstanding Uptown tradition, the News-Star is once again the only paper in town to run a story on "Fix Wilson Yard" and the prospective lawsuit. Thanks, Lorraine Swanson and News-Star, for a community paper that actually deals with the community's concerns!

Fix Wilson Yard

In what is becoming a new trend - residents suing and filing injunctions against the city for projects about which there is demonstrated community opposition - a coalition of volunteers from various Uptown organizations have launched a new Web site called http://www.fixwilsonyard.org/.

According to the Web site, the Fix Wilson Yard organization claims an urban disaster in the making, and has been quietly holding SRO meetings throughout the neighborhood regarding the Wilson Yard development and a pending lawsuit. In 2004, 10 Uptown block clubs went on the record opposing the redevelopment in its current form, which includes a Target and two high-rise developments for low-income senior and family housing.

The Fix Wilson Yard organization has also lined up two law firms that specialize in fighting municipalities and land use issues, and the other in tax increment finance issues. According to the Web site, both law firms "have utmost confidence in our case and have offered their services at greatly reduced hourly rates."

Molly Phelan, an attorney and Uptown resident, stated in an e-mail reply that the goal of the group is to stop the development in its current form. A possible lawsuit, which so far only names the city as a defendant, may also be imminent.

Organizers are trying to raise funds for the six-figure invoice that they say is needed to wage this latest legal battle. Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association (GWNA) which is a registered 501(c)3 organization, has offered to collect donations for the legal fund until Fix Wilson Yard's own application as a registered not-for-profit organization is approved.

UPDATE from the comments: "I was in court this morning. The owner of the hotel is working on making the required improvements to the building. His manager is keeping people from loitering outside the hotel and Mr. Bomberg (the owner) also sent a rep to court for a graffiti charge when his building was tagged. He seems interested in working to improve the hotel. To address what happens beyond the doors of the hotel and on Wilson, it was my understanding that there will also be discussions with other city departments to work on the larger issues the residents of the hotel and the rest of the neighborhood, in general are facing. The next court date is December 11th-mark your calendars!"

The current issue of News-Star has an article on today's Wilson Club Hotel hearing, including an interview with Jay Bomberg. It sounds like he intends to make a difference in how the hotel is run; we hope that today's court case provides some backing for his optimism.

Here are a couple excerpts from the article; the entire piece can be read here.

Before the May hearing, Bomberg said he evicted four residents for alleged criminal activities; a fifth resident was asked to leave in June, and four more residents have since been evicted. "I think the community will already have noticed that there is a whole lot less loitering in front of the building between ourselves and working with our two (commercial) tenants," he said.

Bomberg said he has instructed front desk staff to call 911 more quickly before incidents inside or outside the hotel can escalate. Security cameras have been installed in front of the hotel. Use of that camera resulted in the arrest of a graffiti tagger from the neighborhood, who was convicted and given 90 hours of community service.

"We call 911 a lot more often than prior management did. Check the statistics from the first six months of last year (under previous management) and this year, and calls are up 50 percent," Bomberg said. "Our own residents know now that they cannot hang out in front of the building. If people are out front loitering they are not going to be our residents.

"The house rule (for residents) is that if you want to take it somewhere, take to the park and go somewhere else. (Residents) can wait in front for a ride, then can wait for the clinic to pick them up, but hanging out is not going to be done," Bomberg added.

[...]"We're not asking anything of the (outside) community other than understanding and respect," Bomberg said.

The housing court hearing for the Wilson Men's Hotel is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 14, in room 1111 at the Daley Center. News-Star will do a Web extra and follow up on the results of that hearing in the Aug. 21 edition.

We posted the picture of the Uptown Update t-shirt just for yucks, but a few people actually wanted one! So we just set up our own online "Uptown Update Shop." Check it out now and dazzle your friends with the latest craze to sweep Uptown. We will be adding new styles and items as they become available.

If you'd like any styles or designs not shown on the site (like reversed logos between the front and back of the shirt), let us know via email and we'll see what we can do about setting it up. All profits made from the CafePress items will be donated to WAMA for their beautification project of Wilson Avenue.

More info on the yard sale:
Anyone within the Sheridan Park boundaries (Montrose to Lawrence, Broadway to Clark) can be part of the Sheridan Park Yard Sale on Saturday, August 16 (rain date August 17), but they have to be registered. We’ve flyered and emailed, but lots of people still don’t know. If they want to sell – they need to be on the Master List, and I need it ASAP – just send me name, address of where they’re selling, phone and email address. Send to kiffer71@yahoo.com. And of course everyone else can come and shop!! (on their way to or from The Raven of course!)

Just a reminder that the court time for the Wilson Club Hotel's case in Housing Court is on Thursday, August 14 at 9:30 am, Room 1111 of the Daley Center. This will be the second court date for the hotel, and Jay Bomberg (the new owner) is expected to be there to detail what he's done to clean up the previous code violations and make the hotel better.

If you would like to go observe the proceedings as a court advocate, please know that your silent presence speaks volumes to the court about the community's level of concern.

We've been encouraged by Bomberg Properties' appearances in other court cases, and we hope that Mr. Bomberg will be able to show significant progress in improving the conditions that got the hotel into Housing Court in the first place.

We couldn't believe it when we saw this photo that a reader sent in. It seems that the CTA is out today working on the Wilson el station. It appears that the cracks in the structure are being patched. Will wonders never cease?

Would it be too crazy to hope that they clean the windows? Remove the graffiti? We could really shoot for the moon and hope that Uptown gets retail in our el stations, just like other parts of the city. But this is a good beginning. Stay tuned.

Update: We are also wondering what ever came from what was promised in this 2005 press release from the CTA regarding a Wilson L rehab, particularly this section:

"In addition to the design contract, the Board approved lease agreements for three companies running existing retail businesses at the station, American Fast Foods, Inc.; Charles Stempien (Lakeview Foods); and Wilson-Broadway Mall, Inc.

The new agreements will bring an additional $732,687 in rent and capital improvements to the CTA for a period of up to five years or until renovations begin at the Wilson Red Line station. The leases were competitively bid.

As part of its agreement with the CTA, American Fast Foods, Inc., will lease, operate and make capital upgrades on a 3,065-square foot store front located adjacent to the Red Line Wilson station. The vendor will continue to operate a Popeye's Chicken restaurant at this location.

Charles Stempien (Lakeview Foods) will continue to operate a convenience store in a 2,467 square-foot store front located at 4612 N. Broadway. The business recently made capital improvements to the property.

The Wilson-Broadway Mall will make capital upgrades to the store front at 1114 W. Wilson, and will lease and operate Alpha Electronics in the 8,445 square-foot space."

UPDATE: Chicagoist has an article about the bands taking part in The Raven.

A note from 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter:

Experience the Magic of Ravenswood at The Raven

Join in the fun and experience the magic of Ravenswood at The Raven, the 47th Ward's newest street festival. Located in the Ravenswood neighborhood, The Raven launches on Saturday, August 16 and continues through Sunday, August 17.

The Raven, 4700 N. Clark Street and Chase Park

Saturday, August 16, Noon to 10:00 pm
Sunday, August 17, Noon to 8:00 pm

A $5.00 donation is requested. Bike parking will be available. Proceeds from the event will benefit a new playground in Chase Park.

Please note, festival grounds will be fenced off beginning on Friday, August 15 at 7:00 pm. This includes the 4700 block on N. Clark. Please be aware of all no parking signs.

Note: We hear that volunteers are still needed. Visit the Raven's website for details on volunteering, and also for a full schedule of activities and bands.

courtesy: Fix Wilson Yard.org (click image to enlarge)

Update: And in case you've missed this gem of a video from a few years back, for your entertainment:

... this would be it.

A commenter mentioned that a JPUSA member had been seen wearing a t-shirt reading "Uptown Update Is Stupid." If this is true (and we hasten to add that we haven't seen it with our own eyes), well, we're kind of stunned that JPUSA seems to think they're having a flame war with us.

Huh. Who knew?

In any case, it led to a conversation (punctuated by much laughter) about what the Uptown Update official-issue t-shirt would say. We thought the words of Ald. Shiller's very own bat-man, George Atkins, summed up our philosophy best.

Today Uptown Update welcomed our 500,000th visitor.

Thank you for reading (and reading, and reading, and reading). We'll keep blogging news and commentary about our neighborhood (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and we appreciate all that our readership has done to help us in this endeavour. Keep those photos and comments coming. We appreciate your support.

Some form of construction is underway at Wilson Yard. Remember this quote from developer Peter Holsten last summer? We have to wonder where the sign announcing Target could be.

“We asked to put an announcement in the newspaper. It’s bizarre,” Holsten said.

Shiller backed Holsten, who reiterated that his firm did indeed have a contract. “Do you think he’d go forward if Target wasn’t on board?” Shiller asked.

Holsten said that once construction is underway, a rendering of the proposed Target would be posted at the construction site.

“(Target’s) policies on this side are absurd. We’ll put up a rendering and to hell with them,” Holsten said.
Source: June 13, 2007 News-Star

It's sad that most of the mural that was once on the west side of TCF Bank on Wilson has been covered up with brown paint to counter the graff artists that continually strike in this location. Looks like they will be needing another coat of paint.

Today's Sun-Times has an article on how businesses can make it even in a tough economy, and focuses on Soggy Paws as an example: "Shops must find niche, focus on basics to make it"

A retail success story, Soggy Paws at 1912 S. State has secured its niche with the utmost in customer service. The business, co-owned by Paul Rathe and Kevin Richardson, offers dog owners luxuries such as raised dog tubs for washing so owners don't have to kneel; dog facials featuring a mango-scented foaming face wash from the retailer's proprietary product line, "Growl and Meow," and guidance for owners in checking their pets for bumps or other medical concerns while they are washing the pets.

"We create a custom blend of shampoo for each dog, based on the skin condition and whether the dog has been on the beach or in the woods. We're the experts on helping with a dog's coat and condition," Richardson said.

. . . .

Soggy Paws, which is profitable, relies on dog-washing for one-third of its revenues, with the rest divided between grooming services and products such as food, toys, leashes and apparel. Soggy Paws makes special efforts to participate in community events and surprises some of its customers by keeping its product prices below those at discount pet stores, Richardson said.

The strategy has paid off. Soggy Paws will open its third location in Logan Square by Sept. 1. Its other store is in Uptown.

Welcome to the 1st edition of Fix-Wilson-Yard e-news. Our goal is to keep interested citizens updated on the latest Fix-Wilson-Yard
legal updates, meetings, and fundraisers.

Fix-Wilson-Yard Meetings
We have two meetings to announce:

Thursday, August 14, 7 pm
Buena Pointe, 4350 N. Broadway

Monday, August 18, 7 pm
Soggy Paws, Leland & Racine

If you'd like to host a meeting for 15 or more people, please
email info@fixwilsonyard.org

Meet the Legal Team
Representing FWY are two leading law firms with expertise in different
areas of law. Davis McGrath is a boutique firm with experience in Tax
Increment Financing (TIF) Issues, while Ramsdell & Associates focuses more
on land use litigation (Ramsdell & Associates is most recently known for
having defeated the Chicago Park District, the City of Chicago and the Latin
School in the Lincoln Park soccer field debacle). Both firms are leading attorneys
in their respective fields and the combination of their strengths gives this
community the broad range of talents needed to cover this case in depth
without any one attorney facing an uphill learning curve and additional cost
to the FWY legal fund. They have the utmost confidence in our case and have
offered their services at greatly reduced hourly rates.

Fundraising Success!
With no fanfare and only three community meetings, the donations are flowing in.
We have now raised more than $20,000.

We seem to have hit a good nerve with the announcement of Fix-Wilson-Yard.
People know Wilson Yard is the turning point for either making or breaking
Uptown's future. While we are thrilled at the early enthusiasm, we know
we are still far away from reaching the estimated six-figure sum we will have
to raise to see this suit through trial. So please visit www.fixwilsonyard.org
and make your donation today!

Tell Me More....
If you're new to Uptown and want to learn more about the history, details,
and just how the Wilson Yard TIF has radically changed since its beginning,
visit www.uncchicago.org and click on the Wilson Yard link. Scroll to
the bottom and read up. You can also sign up for UNC E-News for more
detailed information.

TIF Tidbits
A recent downstate court ruling now empowers Chicago taxpayers to sue
the city for TIF abuse. The Reader article, Three Million Lawsuits Oughta
Do It, gives taxpayers a light at the end of the dark, long TIF-tunnel. To read
the entire article, click here.

A reader sent in this photo showing a new condo development at 1313 W. Carmen. A cool $599,000 will get you a unit in this building "in the heart of Andersonville." Who wouldn't want to live on a beautiful tree-lined street on Carmen in the heart of Andersonville? There sure are alot of lovely single family homes there.

We spotted this little squirrel hanging out on top of a trash receptacle in Sunnyside Mall. Just a few yards away, we spotted this gentleman passed out next to a tree. 911 was called for a wellness check.

A reader writes in with the following photo:
Not really. But if you need shampoo and bath gel, head on over to Broadway and Wilson in front of the currency exchange (where else?) and meet up with the lady in the blue chair. She has a wide assortment of bath products to meet your every need. Where have we seen this lady in the blue chair before?

A meeting was held today between Uptown's block clubs, CAPS, and various important Uptown groups along with Rep. Greg Harris. Another Uptown Town Hall Meeting for residents is in the works. Alderman Shiller was in attendance today and she was heard to say, "Well, let's hope we can work together to accomplish some things."

A reader writes in:
The Chicago Tribune just reported that the City of Chicago has been awarded $2M of federal monies to fight gangs (whether prosecuting serious offenders or providing assistance for prisoners re-entering society, etc.). Local agencies will have the opportunity to apply for use of funds.
Is the 46th Ward eligible for these funds? Considering all of the violence in Uptown this year, will Alderman Shiller issue a press release communicating her plans to apply (or not) for these funds? Uptown is experiencing the highest level of violence that I've witnessed in my three years living in the 46th Ward, with more than a dozen separate shootings in the last thirty days. This seems like a great opportunity to combat the gangs in our neighborhoods and make our neighborhoods safer for all of our residents.

A reader writes in with the above photo:
"Just got home and noticed a crew of roofers replacing the shingles on the Cafe Too/Inspiration Cafe building. Heads up, that the alley east of Sheridan adjacent to this building (between Leland and Lakeside Place) is blocked by a dump truck and lots of roofing debris. Be careful, even after they're gone, in case any sharp roofing nails are left behind!
Great to see this (once) lovely building getting a facelift. If there is any info available on how extensively this building is going to be updated, I'd love to know.

Downtown Chicago, as seen today from Montrose Harbor.

Check out the Uptown neighborhood profile HD video on the "Chicago Neighborhood Explorer." As if you did not know, we live in a wonderful neighborhood.

Real estate developer Scott Whelan has come up with a clever way to help sell condos on Agatite. Buyers will get a $3,000 credit at nearby "Bar on Buena." Read all about it at the Sun-Times here.

News from WAMA:
WAMA welcomes you to participate in the exciting Experience Uptown WalkFest on September 12th, 13th and 14th.
The Aragon Ballroom on Lawrence Avenue and Pegasus Players Theatre on Wilson Avenue will be providing amazing tours to those individuals who purchase Experience Uptown bracelets for $10 for the weekend of September 12, 13th and 14th. The Aragon Ballroom will be hosting a tour on Friday, September 12th at 2pm for up to 20 people and another on Saturday, September 13th at 2pm for up to 20 people. This guided tour will take you throughout the entire theatre as well as educate you on the history of the theatre. Pegasus Players Theatre will be hosting rehearsal tours. Watch as teachers guide you through the wonderful world of acting. Times not yet set. RSVP is mandatory for both the Aragon Ballroom and Pegasus Players Theatre to info@wilsonareamerchants.org. Please specify date and time and for which event you will be participating. Also, don't forget about all the other wonderful restaurants and retailers offering tremendous discounts off food, services and alcohol for the entire weekend. Buy your bracelet now, they are only $10 and you must wear your wristband in order to receive discounts and participate in the tours. You may buy your tickets online at www.wilsonareamerchants.org or at any one of the following locations: Unique So Chique located on Wilson Avenue, Tiztal on Clark Street, and both The Spot and Marigold located on Broadway. See you soon!!!!