Free Admission @ Swedish American Museum Center

Did you know the Swedish American Museum Center (5211 N Clark) offers free admission on the second Tuesday of each month? Stop by next Tuesday to the 24,000 square foot museum which features a children's museum, an exhibit profiling Swedish Immigration to Chicago in the 1800's, a temporary art museum which changes four times per year as well as a store. Hours during the week are 10am - 4pm.

EDC meeting canceled re: former Star Gaze space

The previous Edgewater Development Corporation we posted about here regarding a presentation from Candy Bar Entertainment to discuss their interest/plans for the site formerly occupied by Star Gaze, has been canceled.

Another new topic to be discussed:

New Presentation

Adriatic-new restaurant located at 5553 N. Clark Street (formally Gilly's)

1. They have applied for an Incidental Liquor License.

2. They are also planning for an Outdoor Patio and a PPA. (Public Place of Amusement)

State Senate race candidate showdown

7th DISTRICT STATE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FORUM

Sponsored by Northside Democracy for America, Edgewater Community Council and Americans for Democratic Action.

Candidates: Sen. Heather Steans and Jim Madigan

Wednesday, January 6th, 7:00 p.m.

Sulzer Regional Library

4455 North Lincoln Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60625

Reception will follow for a chance to meet and mingle with the candidates.

For more information call Lauren at 773-431-9658.

Early voting

Early voting for the February 2nd primary begins January 11th. The location for the 48th Ward is at the Chicago Public Library located at 1210 W Elmdale (9am - 5pm). For a complete list of locations, click here.

Kichen Sink Cafe opening tomorrow

According to their Twitter page, Kitchen Sink Cafe will be opening its doors tomorrow at 6:30am. Kitchen Sink Cafe is located at 1107 W Berwyn in the space formerly occupied by the Pause coffee shop and is owned/operated by two former Pause baristas. Check out their recently posted Metromix listing here.

UPDATE from KSC: Our full menu isn't available yet ... we're still working out the kinks. We hope to offer made-to-order sandwiches and salads by the beginning of next month. We'll begin serving soups this week. Our hours are monday - friday 6:30am til 8:30pm and saturday/sunday 7:30am til 8:30pm. Also check out their blog here.

Work out for FREE

BREAK A SWEAT, NOT THE BANK
Work out for FREE January 2-10 at all Chicago Park District Fitness Centers!

Plus, if you register January 2 – 10 for the winter session (Jan. – March), you’ll receive a free Nike cinch bag, while supplies last.

The Chicago Park District’s 66 new/improved fitness centers offer a high-quality, low-cost alternative to private gyms. Membership rates range from $30-$75 for a three-month session, a fraction of the cost of commercial gyms. These centers feature state-of-the-art equipment such as computerized treadmills, cross trainers, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, free weights and benches, cable cross-overs, multi-station weight machines and core-focused weight equipment. In addition to equipment, many parks also offer a variety of classes including circuit training, conditioning, kickboxing, Pilates, yoga and aerobics.

For a list of Park District fitness centers click here.

Last day to register to vote: January 5th

January 5th is the latest you can register to vote to be eligible to vote in the February primary. For registration information or to check your voting status visit: http://www.chicagoelections.com/.

3......2......1.....

Happy New Year, Edgewater!

Standee's update

Today was reported as Standee's last day of operation in it's current location on Granville, but we are hearing they will remain open until Sunday (1/3/10). As previously reported, Standee's lost their lease as the landlord refused to renew it. Many people have inquired about the future of Standee's and the space it currently occupies. We have received word from unconfirmed sources that the owners of M Henry in Andersonville plan to open up a new eatery (and likely pay a higher rent) in the current Standee's space and that Standee's will re-open shortly in a new space (which, we do not know) across the street.

(photo courtesy of Mark 2400 on Flickr)

Tribune update on Rocco Lopez stabbing

From the Chicago Tribune:

Rocco Lopez killing: Chicago stabbing victim's family angered after prosecutors reject charges

Cook County office says evidence in Edgewater knifing points to self-defense

This holiday season was bleak for Rocco Lopez's family, still mourning his fatal stabbing three months ago in what authorities said may have been an act of self-defense.

"I tell you, it's so confusing," said Rocco's mother, Gloria Lopez, adding that the family still struggles with anger over how the case was handled and that no one has been charged. "It's like something is still missing."

On the evening of Sept. 19, Rocco Lopez was walking with a group of friends and encountered a man whom family members described as a panhandler.

Lopez, 32, had some kind of confrontation in an alley with the man, possibly over money, according to authorities and his family. The struggle moved to the street in the 1100 block of West Berwyn Avenue, where the man pulled out a kitchen knife and stabbed Lopez in the neck, police had said soon after the incident.

The man also stabbed one of Lopez's friends in the neck, then ran to a nearby "L" station where he shouted for help, said officials with the Cook County state's attorney's office.

He yelled, " 'These guys are after me -- they're trying to hurt me,' " said state's attorney spokeswoman Sally Daly. "It was as if he was running away from an attack."

Witnesses, Daly said, had seen Lopez and his friends chase the man, then engage in the dispute.

But according to his family, it's unclear who initiated the encounter. Rocco Lopez of the 2100 block of South Spaulding Avenue and his friends were unarmed, family members said. The only witness to the alley incident, Gloria Lopez said, was a man so inebriated police were unable to interview him.

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Shared Cost Sidewalk Program

Residents in need of repaired sidewalks may call 311 begining January 1st to apply for the 2010 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. The city recommends you call January 1st or 2nd, if possible, as last year the funds ran out quickly. The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is a voluntary program in which property owners and the City of Chicago share the cost of replacing sidewalks. Seniors & disabled may be eligible for an additional 50% reduction in cost. For more info click here.

Have you seen Riley?

NYE options in Edgewater

If you're still searching for somewhere to ring in the New Year, check out these options right here in Edgewater:

Broadway Cellars - four course fixed price menu with or without wine pairings. Early seatings (6-7pm) are $45; late seatings (begining at 9pm) are $65; wine pairing add $20.

The Call - light appetizers, $4 Absolut cocktails, midnight toast (8pm-2am).

In Fine Spirits - Black & White Celebration. Tickets are $20.10; pre fixe dinner available starting at 5pm for $50; half-priced bottles of bubbly.

Ole St. Andrew's Inn - Open bar, sweets, appetizer buffet, blues band. Premium package (5-8pm) $65; Deluxe Package (9pm-1am) $100. Purchase tickets ahead of time by calling 773-784-5540 or stopping by.

Uncommon Ground - fixed price menu, live jazz swing band (10pm-12:45am); $75.

Tree Recycling & Free Mulch

Body in the Lake?

The Chicago Tribune reported that a body was spotted in Lake Michigan near Bryn Mawr on Christmas day. After a search by the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, no body was found. Read the story here.

Bingo tonight @ Hamburger Mary's

Hamburger Mary's (5400 N Clark) hosts "Hambingo" every Monday night from 8 - 10pm. Cards cost $5 and 100% of the proceeds go to charity. For more info check out this review by "Chicago Hearts Trivia."

Merry Christmas, from the Buzz

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all of our readers. We hope you enjoyed 2009, as wacky of a year as it has been, and wish everyone a safe and prosperous 2010 and beyond.

Going...going...

All that remains of the former store is now gone, and demolition has now moved to the Chicago Lodge Motel as part of the new Domick's development at Foster/Sheridan.

More on Star Gaze space's future

EDC-ECC Planning & Development Meeting Thursday, January 7, 2010 @ 7PM ECC Conference Room 6044 N. Broadway Agenda Candy Bar Entertainment, LLC and affiliates is seeking to acquire Stargaze, located at 5419 N. Clark. The mission of Candy Bar is to create an entertainment, community education, and dining venue, offering unique and appealing entertainment. Their plan is to provide a restaurant specializing in desserts and BB-Q, a small bar (utilizing the existing incidental license) a live entertainment venue featuring small cabaret style shows, various low cost or complimentary community-based courses in music, dance, the arts and other skills, a small showcase of promotional novelty/souvenir items, and private party entertainment packages for the Chicagoland areas during off peak business hours.

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. This is an open public meeting. Come and get informed! Sincerely, Edgewater Development Corporation & Edgewater Community Council

Sun-Times profiles Simon's Glogg

Check out this article in the Chicago Sun-Times profiling Simon's owner Scott Martin's family tradition of serving up the Sweedish holiday beverage, Glogg. Simon's has served up the stuff since it opened in 1934. We recently experienced Simon's Glogg and highly recommend you stop in to try a glass or four!

Chicago's last lesbian bar to close

According to this article in the Windy City Times, Chicago's only full time lesbian bar, Star Gaze, will close its doors on New Years Eve. A few months back we posted about a possible replacement, but have not heard any further information/confirmation regarding this. Photo courtesy of CenterStageChicago.

Neighborhood diner to close

We've received word that Standee's diner, a staple on Granville Avenue for decades, will soon close due to losing their lease. You can read more from the Chicago News Bench, and also show your support for the diner through this event from the TheNeighborhoodFirst.org:

TheNeighborhoodFirst.org would like to invite you to join us in saying farewell to the Granville diner, Standee's.

The business has been in the Edgewater community at 1133 W. Granville for decades, but is now closing at the end of the year. To help celebrate their history in the community, TheNeighborhoodFirst.org will be sponsoring "Thank You" cards all day Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Please join us in showing your appreciation for this well liked neighborhood establishment. Stop by to share a memory and sign a card. We hope to see you there.

For more information, please visit www.TheNeighborhoodFirst.org, or email us at Dan@TheNeighborhoodFirst.org.

Chicago restaurants open on Christmas day

If you do not celebrate the holiday or are simply looking for an excuse not to cook, click this link for a list of Chicagoland eateries which will be open for business on Christmas Day. Some Edgewater restaurants include Ann Sather, Fireside, Reza's and Andies.

Ole Ole owner and workers meeting today

An update from our "Whats going on at Ole Ole" post....

The owner of Ole Ole has agreed to meet with workers and organizers of Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) after claims of unpaid wages. According to ROC national policy director Jose Olivia, six Ole Ole employees are owed almost $200,000 in back wages, including servers who say they have been working for tips only -- a clear violation of labor law that mandates a minimum wage even for tipped restaurant workers. A protest was planned for Friday, December 18th, but the owner agreed to meet before that occured and it was called off.

Source

Nursing homes report more felons

From the Chicago Tribune:

Facilities statewide noted increase of 3 percent from November to December

Following Tribune reports of violent attacks by felons living in nursing homes, some facilities are scrambling to comply with a 4-year-old disclosure law requiring them to notify state public health officials when they admit offenders, state officials say.

As a result, the number of felons reported to be living in the facilities increased last month, according to state records and interviews. Illinois nursing homes disclosed that they held 3,326 offenders as of Dec. 10, up from 3,224 on Nov. 5.

Some had been living in the facilities undeclared for as long as a year, records show.

"If they have not been reporting individuals in the past, they've begun reporting them," said Richard Dees, chief of the state Department of Public Health's Bureau of Long-Term Care.

Statewide, the rate at which facilities reported new felons has doubled from about 50 a month to 100 last month.
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