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.
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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.
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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 Baily 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.

Thanksigiving food drive

Care for Real is gearing up for the holiday season and looking for donations. Every year, Care for Real provides food, clothing and household items to individuals and families in need. The number of people needing help has dramatically increased due to the economy while funding has decreased.

Monetary donations can be sent to Care for Real, 6044 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660. Food donations can be dropped off at Care for Real or at State Representative Harry Osterman's office, 5535 N. Broadway. For more information or help in organizing a food drive, call Care for Real at (773) 769-6182.

Vegan chain comes to Edgewater

Alice & Friends Vegetarian Cafe, located at 5812 N Broadway, has rebranded under the worldwide vegan chain restaurant Loving Hut name. The space has been remodeled and we're told the chef and the staff remain the same. You can check out their website (currently under construction) here.

Ghost signs

There are a lot of these along Broadway and in other areas of the neighborhood. This one on the northwest corner of Broadway and Norwood looks to be an old promotion for Michelob, but it's hard to make out exactly what it says. Does anyone know?

Happy Halloween Edgewater!

Vital Bridges delivers 10 millionth meal

From Medill:
Vital Images looks just like any other storefront on Broadway Avenue in the Edgewater community. But on the inside, a mural spans the walls in the front of the shop, giving it a Miami vibe. The furniture is plush and eclectic. Festive Halloween decorations fill the shop’s nooks and crannies. Vital Bridges has a distinct homey feel.

According to Debbie Hinde, the company’s president and CEO, the decor in the facility serving those living with HIV or AIDS is intentional.

“Each of our spaces is a little bit different,” she said. “When people walk in the door at any of the sites, we want them to feel accepted, cared for and comfortable.

Vital Images delivered its 10 millionth meal to an AIDS sufferer Thursday. Since 1988, it has been providing healthy meals at no charge to the more than 1,500 clients it serves yearly.

Continue reading article
(we're not sure if the use of "Vital Images" instead of Vital Bridges is a typo?)

EDC markets Edgewater commercial real estate w/trolley tour

Edgewater Development Corporation sponsored a Commercial Real Estate Trolley Tour with the support of 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O'Connor, 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith, and 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. The Tour highlighted commercial real estate properties available for sale or lease within the Edgewater community and presented an opportunity for the Aldermen to present their vision for additional development in Edgewater.

* info and photo from the EDC e-newsletter

Peirce School Fundraiser @ Hopleaf

The third annual Peirce School fundraiser will be held Sunday, November 1 at Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat buffet brunch, silent auction and raffle are $25 per person. There are two seatings: 10:30 am. - noon and 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Hopleaf owners Mike Roper and Louise Molnar again are generously underwriting the event.

Money raised at the event will be used for arts education, programs that currently are not funded in the Peirce budget. For tickets and more information contact peirceschool@gmail.com or call (224) 688-1265.

Coming soon - Burke's!!!

About a year ago, we reported a zoning change in the space formerly occupied by the Writer's Lounge. We just received word that a new much-needed pub (east of Broadway) is coming to the Edgewater neighborhood at Balmoral and Broadway. Burke's will feature traditional casual bar food such as burgers and sandwiches and have a laid-back neighborhood feel along with flat screen TV's for sports-lovers. No timeframe is set yet for Burke's - but this recent news is promising.

Armed robbery

The Shell gas station located on the Edgewater/Rogers Park border at Clark & Devon was robbed on Sunday night. According to Fox News, two black males in their young 20's walked into the station, pulled out a pistol, and walked away with $500. You can read the Fox News article here.

Stabbing on Berwyn ruled self defense

We've received word that there will be no charges in the stabbing that killed Rocco Lopez and injured another in the alley at 1100 W Berwyn. Apparently the stabbing was ruled self defense. As was previously reported by LEN, an altercation occured after a man confronted Mr. Lopez "about money." These new details were word of mouth, and we have not verified the credibility of them. While it is relieving that this was apparently not just a random act of violence, it does not discount the fact that a life was lost.

Also see:

http://www.lakeeffectnews.com/2009/10/02/stabbing-victim-may-have-started-fight/

CTA Hearing

Hearing on CTA Fare Increases and Service Cuts

The CTA will hold a public hearing on its proposed 2010 budget, which includes service cuts and fare increases, at Lane Tech High School, 2501 W. Addison, on Monday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m.

Among the proposals are increases in bus, rail, express bus and transit card fares; the elimination of several express bus routes, although none serving the 48th Ward, and change in service hours for 41 bus routes. Routes that will see either later start times or earlier end times are the 36, 92, 146, 147 and 155. There will be no change in service on the rail lines.