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Hey there, Lincoln Park--we're back from our mini blog vacation with some really exciting news...

The Green City Market officially moves to its outdoor, south Lincoln Park location next week! You can find the full schedule of events for the grand opening of Green City Market's 12th season here. It's full of yummy tastings, workshops and demonstrations. Definitely not something you want to miss!

I found this news out from Green City Market's Twitter account, which is an awesome resource for people who want to know more about the market and it's farmers.

I got to thinking: wouldn't it be great to compile a list of must-follow Twitter accounts for the constantly-connected Lincoln Park-er? Yes, it would. So now that list is waiting for you just beyond the "Continue reading..."

Chicago Breaking News Center is reporting the disappearance of Lincoln Park resident Matthew Goralka, a 17-year-old junior who attends Walter Payton College Prep.  

Police described him as 135 pounds and five foot nine inches tall.  He has freckles and hazel eyes with brown hair.   Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Three special victims unit at 312-744-8266

The family of Matthew Goralka, a Lincoln Park teenager missing since a dispute with his parents Tuesday, pleads for public assistance locating their son, a Walter Payton High School student who received blood thinning treatment for a blood clot at Children's Memorial Hospital Tuesday.

Does this sound anything like the Lincoln Park you know and love (or love to hate?): 

Armitage, an avenue of boutiques and Lincoln Park luxury, is the latest area of the neighborhood to see a spike in knife-related crime. Thanks to Flickr user Zol87 for the snap.

The Chicago Breaking News Center updated information this morning about the 18-year-old man who was stabbed last night in an apartment hallway in the 2000 block of North Bissell.   Chicago Police News Affairs could not confirm for Lincoln Park Now that the victim is or is not a neighborhood resident of Lincoln Park.

If you're anything like me, as soon as this week's weather conditions work their way into the forecast, your limbs literally itch to start riding your bike.

Perhaps you haven't yet heard the buzz, but earlier this month Google made it even easier for Chicagoans to two-wheel the town safely. Yes, Google maps has introduced a bicycling directions feature that will change your bike-riding life forever.

In a neighborhood like Lincoln Park, which is rich with scenery and bike paths to boot, this new feature can become an indispensable tool for biking enthusiasts.

Allow me to demonstrate...

Move over, lake shore path, you're not the only bike friendly pavement in town! Google's new bike path directions allow two-wheeling commuters to veer off the lake shore path while still pedaling safely. Photo by flickr user discosour

When I was a freshman at DePaul, I decided to start volunteering as an English teacher for a Burmese refugee. Another Burmese refugee and incredibly inspirational Chicago Burmese community leader, Poe Clee, was an enormous help to my student and her family.

He helped them adjust to life in Chicago, he helped them find valuable resources they needed, and he used his incredible English language skills to help them communicate with doctors and officials whenever they needed him.

What does this even have to do with Lincoln Park, you ask? Well, for the first time in 4 years, Poe Clee is going back to the refugee camp in Thailand where he lived before moving to the United States, and he is hosting a fundraiser at Small Bar in Lincoln Park on Friday, March 26 in order to raise money for soccer equipment for the kids at the camp.

Burmese people love soccer the same way Lincoln Parkers love the Cubs (or hockey--the Blackhawks!--did anyone go to the Brent Seabrook meet up at the Starfruit Cafe a few weeks back?). From the looks of the pictures on Poe Clee's poster, it looks like the kids in the camp could really use some new gear.

So if you're not doing anything on Friday and you want to support Poe Clee's cause (and maybe even meet a real life Lincoln Park Now blogger--me!) come out to Small Bar at  1415 W. Fullerton at 7.

DETAILS:

Chicago Public Schools issued a last-minute press release tonight striking Prescott Elementary from the list of schools that the Board of Education will vote tomorrow whether or not to close.

In this ABC7 news report, 32nd ward alderman Scott Waguespack specifically calls out the Board of Education, Ron Huberman and Mayor Daley, insisting that schools like Prescott can thrive if given the right opportunity.

For the full CPS press release granting reprieve to both Prescott Elementary and Marconi Elementary School at 230 N. Kolmar, check out the ChicagoNow District 299 blog's most recent post.

What saved Prescott at the last minute? The ABC7 reporter says it is the community's plan to increase enrollment that spared the school, while an anonymous commenter on District 299 asserts it's the alderman who changed Huberman and Daley's minds.

What do you think, Lincoln Park?

(A special thanks to Joe Lake for sending this news tip to Lincoln Park Now)

A panicked pack of parents from West Lincoln Park are doing all they can to save Prescott Elementary School from the swinging CPS axe slated to shut down, turn around, phase out or consolidate several neighborhood schools this week.

At a Chicago Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 24, officials will decide the fate of Prescott Elementary. Chicago Public Radio offers a comprehensive break-down of all of the targeted CPS schools and what they face in this week's vote.

The schools in question are being flagged for restructuring or elimination based on under-enrollment and low test scores, and if you take a look at Prescott's statistics, the neighborhood elementary school isn't doing so hot.

Still, a grassroots fundraising and marketing group called Prescott Parents has a different opinion, and they're voicing it loudly all over the internet in hopes of saving the school.

60614 is the buzz right now, Chicago, like when Colbert profiled Quigley (read on if ya missed it...), and even here on ChicagoNow, where I'll just go ahead and award the (make believe) Lincoln Park Now's Winter Blogger Olympic medals to:

I have basically wanted to write this post my whole (blogging) life. Now, thanks to a RedEye tip, my wildest Lincoln Park Now blogging dreams are coming true.

What is she talking about, you might ask yourself? Let me spell it out for you: there's a winter storm watch in place starting lat tonight night. In a 24 hour span, Chicago could accumulate up to 10 inches of snow. That means snow everywhere--especially in the parks.

And as all you dear readers obviously know, Lincoln Park has got a LOT of parks.

This can only mean one thing. A lot of snowmen.

Effective Sunday, February 7, most CTA bus routes servicing Lincoln Park will strand you overnight if you're seeking a lift after midnight or before 6:00am.  Teaming with several other city council seats to appeal certain CTA's service cut decisions, Ald. Daley blasted the ending of owl service in a press release sent to all major media outlets in Chicago, and us!

Well, at least a little bit famous.

Last weekend, Molly and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Anton from funsherpa.com at Lincoln Park's own Savor the Flavor in order to discuss this blog, all the cool things funsherpa has to offer, and a new and exciting relationship between Lincoln Park Now and funsherpa.

These Sherpas look like they know where to find all the fun! Photo by flikr user ilkerender

Lincoln Park, your beaver is back.

And this time, his online support community is stronger than ever.

You may remember last spring when the Chicago Park District attempted to live trap a family of three beavers that made a home in North Pond, intent on relocating them, but accidentally killing the mom-beaver and sparking outrage in the community...

Grant an upscale, progressive, urban community like Lincoln Park three major hospital site re-developments in a few years and 60614 is one story on the beanstalk away from:  A New York Times cameo, reports galore, a Crain's play-by-play, Alderman moderated blogs, and what now? 

You've baited the site's new owner into calling you, Lincoln Park, that's right, you,  the "biggest classic case of not in my backyard as I've ever seen in my lifetime." Richard Zisook's deafening words to the Chicago News Cooperative for the New York Times are a serious allegation.  Battling the Mid-North Neighbors community association over their proposal, Richard Zisook and Michael Supera plan a five-building redevelopment of the former Lincoln Park Hospital into a mixed-use of senior-housing condominiums, a few single-family homes, commericial/retail, and an altered, already existing parking garage. 

Participate in the continuing carnage this Tuesday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Lincoln Park High School.  Ald. Vi Daley will referee the latest stab at compromise between Zisook and Supera and the Mid-North neighbors over the modified plans for the site's use.   

Petitioning against the site drew over 400 signatures from residents who armed Michele Smith, 43rd ward Democratic Committeeman, with a hefty argument against tall buildings, traffic, excessive retail, and tarnishing the charm of their blocks.   

Championing a feasibility study last year on the community's guidelines for re-using the Children's Memorial Hospital space for mixed use earned Vi Daley her blogger black belt.  The use of community blogs to stage a podium for Lincoln Park citizen proposals and debate over this very issue not only left marvelous tracks for those of us who weren't there to watch in the beginning, but also sparks questions like,  "so what the heck is REALLY going on here?" 

Hi, Lincoln Park Now readers, and sorry for my recent post-hiatus. Any of our readers who are also DePaul students will know how crazy the last week has been with winter quarter classes starting, but enough excuses!

Searching the web recently for Lincoln Park topics of interest has only served to remind me that I need to put my New Years resolution exercise plan into motion likerightnow.

If you're in the same situation, let's not fight it anymore! Don't let the blizzard stop you from building a bangin' bod. I've found a great deal and an exciting class that will make getting fit in Lincoln Park a fun and thrifty possibility in 2010.

If the season's greetings have awoken your inner child, you're not alone! This time of year, I can't help but reflect on my childhood and try to rekindle the magic. It seemed like the most important thing I could do was monitor the local news for updates on the Red Guy's whereabouts and cross my fingers for a White Christmas.

One of my favorite things about the winter during my childhood was the snow--it seems like every day, I was building igloos, making snow angels, and instigating snowball fights with my friends.

But for me, sledding was an extra special treat. It required permission and transportation from my mom and dad, which made sledding pretty much the most magical thing that could ever happen in the snow, ever.

Wee! Let your inner child show the Lincoln Park slopes what he's got this winter! Photo by flikr user skpy.

If you're with me, Lincoln Park-ers, your inner children can eat their hearts out. I've scoped the Lincoln Park sledding scene and mapped the closest coffee and cocoa just for you!

Hey there, Lincoln Park Now readers! We really need to come up with some sort of nickname for our readers...

Anyway, I'm here to launch you headfirst into the weekend with a Lincoln-Park-in-the-media round up post. Brace yourselves!

Yee-haw! It's a Lincoln Park media round up, y'all! Photo by flikr user williac

Good afternoon, Lincoln Park Now readers, and has our neighborhood been busy in the headlines today!

With a missing teen, a woman pulled from a lagoon, and a serious stabbing, Lincoln Park has seen its share of emergencies the past two days. Photo by flikr user Chris.Violette

News bulletins, alerts, and tweets galore flew around the internet earlier this morning when police asked for the public's help in locating 14-year-old Leslie Sinclair of Lincoln Park.

According to a Chicago Sun-Times article, Sinclair was last seen yesterday at 2:30 p.m. in her apartment on the 2200 block of N. Lincoln Ave., with a male identified only as "Chris." Her mother came home and asked Chris to leave, only to discover shortly there after that Sinclair had left the apartment, too.

An article on Chicago Breaking News reported that Sinclair was found safe at 9:30 a.m. this morning and taken to an area hospital for observation.

If that isn't enough media attention focused on the Lincoln Park neighborhood, an article on the WBBM 780 website reported that Chicago Fire Department crews pulled a woman from a lagoon just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo this morning around 3:00 a.m.

According to the article, the woman is hospitalized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and expected to undergo psychiatric observation.

Chicago Breaking News reported that as police approached the woman in a park near the lagoon around 3:00 a.m. this morning, she ran and jumped into the water. The article says that according to police, the woman may have mental problems.

All this alongside yesterday's stabbing near the Clybourn Corridor certainly places Lincoln Park in the media spotlight this week! What's going on?

Incidents of homicide are rare in Lincoln Park, but the west side of one of Chicago's safest neighborhoods is seeing an uptick in violence.

flickr user AMagill's image reflects sentiment that could be building on the west side of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood after a man was brutally stabbed on the 2100 block of N. Southport Avenue.

An attempted murder on the 2100 block of N. Southport was reported today at 11:35 a.m. when a man, 43 years old, was stabbed in the back during an altercation with the suspect who fled the scene.   Chicago Police news affairs spokesperson John Mirabelli told Lincoln Park Now that an African-American suspect in his forties has yet to be identified.  Belmont area detectives are investigating.

 

The victim is being treated for trauma and serious injury at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.   Will this story develop a cast of the fallen on Lincoln Park's west side, or is this a hyped threat?  Should these events of bloodshed be considered an issue?   Is it time to call Ald. Waguespack?

Let's look at some facts.

 

View Larger Map

Lincoln Park High School might provide a safe haven for Fenger High School students who sued Chicago Public Schools for the right to be allowed to transfer.

According to an article on Chicago Breaking News, a plan was approved in court on Tuesday that would allow the ten Fenger students who sued CPS to transfer to Morgan Park High School, Julian High School, Lincoln Park Academy, or the selective enrollment school, Carver Military Academy.

A Medill report on Tuesday said that it is unclear why school officials selected these schools or why only students listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit would be granted immediate transfers.

Lincoln Park Academy is the only one of the four schools that is not located on the far south side, leading many Chicagoans to question why it made the short list of possible transfer schools.

A 90 minute bus, red line, and secondary bus commute connects Altgeld Gardens to Lincoln Park High School in proposed relocation of Fenger students after a settlement of the lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools.

How is your holiday wish list stacking up now that you have probably scoped out the shopping scene this weekend?   Many Lincoln Park businesses could be delighting in yours if it's a hopeful who's who of designer labels.   There are also several organizations doing works of human kindness around the neighborhood just bursting to give you your good citizenship patches before year's end.... in case that's what you're really wanting.

Charity, a definition from Chambers dictionary. Used with permission of flickr user HowardLake.

Everybody knows you like to give.  Scanning this year's semi-annual political donations reveals that Lincoln Park is more about "the gift" than any other zip code in Illinois.... with nearly three quarters of a mil just to political campaigns in the first six months of the year tracing back to 60614.  

So, you big softy, don't cramp your neck seeking somewhere to deposit your charitable gifts this season; if you're in Lincoln Park you can scratch several backs around Chicago, especially now as the deep freeze dread takes a little comfort away from everyone by the day and you're unfortunately a little more attuned to human suffering.... (Brrrr is right!). 

At the risk of presenting myself as a blogger who does all my research on Twitter, I'd like to share with Lincoln Park Now readers yet another interesting controversy I discovered as a result of a curious tweet.

A Twitter user with only 4 followers, @TrixieSociety tweeted yesterday morning about a free Starbucks gingerbread cinnamon latte giveaway for all "Trixies" or members of the Lincoln Park Trixie Society in the Lincoln Park area stores.

That's interesting, I thought, and obviously untrue. But what is the Lincoln Park Trixie Society?

Just as you are beginning to maybe appreciate the onslaught of holiday media, we've compiled some bulletins to help fill your calendar.   Lincoln Park is absolutely saturated with opportunity to kickstart the season's festivities.  Some free, some frugal, and let's face it 60614, some are priced for the city's fattest pocketbooks (and you tell us if its worth every penny).  Whatever your circumstances, we think this list might help excite your spirit at least a little. 

You know those teeny-tiny, adorable little puppies that are all the rage in Lincoln Park? Well, they've worked some Chicagoans into a rage of their own.

Today at about 1:30 p.m., Twitter user @Davie_St posted two tweets about a big protest he discovered outside of Pawsh Puppies at 2120 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park:

@Davie_St: Passed a lively, homegrown protest outside a Lincoln Park froo-froo doggies-for-sale boutique. Looked like fun!
@Davie_St: Sign: "Here $1500 buys one sick dog. At animal shelters, $1500 adopts 150 dogs." Ah, good point.

A group of protesters from the Puppy Mill Project picketed outside Pawsh Puppies in Lincoln Park for 3 hours today, according to Pawsh Puppies store manager Alex Gershbeyn. Photo by flikr user kellymcheese.

Closing in on the last pre-Holiday weekend, you might be heading out to the Lincoln Park pubs.  Braving the Miller Lite free double decker bus that begins Saturday just might have to happen.   If you're looking to economize further, we've got some specials on hand.  You be the judge.

 

(and for those of you not going to see New Moon tonight, but still looking for a hip screening):   

 

Gaper's Block dropped the word on what's up at Facet's Cinemateque (1517 W. Fullerton Avenue) this evening:   a $9 ticket can be purchased on Facet's website for the Pitchfork-sponsored premiere of All Tomorrow's Parties, a documentary musical film featuring musical acts: 

Battles, Sonic Youth, Belle and Sebastian, Patti Smith, Animal Collective, Grinderman, Iggy and the Stooges, Portishead, Mogwai, Slint, Grizzly Bear, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Gossip, Daniel Johnston and The Boredoms.

 

 

There are little bits of news to be found everywhere in Lincoln Park today!  Last-minute notice of how to donate bone marrow to a national hero, nail polish, and that proposal from the Chicago Park District 2010 budget to raise program prices in Lincoln Park more than in other Chicago neighborhoods... and more: we've got your latest here on Lincoln Park Now. 

Are you looking to impress your Thanksgiving guests with innovative, creative recipes that feature organic ingredients?

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum hosts Lincoln Park's Green City Market every Saturday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Here, shoppers browse the Genesis Growers squash table on Saturday morning, Nov. 14.

If you live in Lincoln Park, you may not need to look any further than your own back yard.

This weekend, Lincoln Park Now decided to make a special trip to the Green City Market to see what kind of recipes we could get the farmers and vendors to share with us. And boy oh boy, did we get them to give up some good ones!

                       Photo: Jenn Kloc            

 

Executive Director of the Better Government Association Andy Shaw opened the candidate's forum yesterday at DePaul with the suggestion that the Cook County Board President's race will be the "most important race on the ballot."

And Todd Stroger never showed.

Beside the empty seat marked for the incumbent Cook County President, 4th ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Terry O'Brien, and Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown responded to Shaw's questions, some of his own and several audience submissions. 

The 43rd Ward Democrats committeeman Michele Smith was elated by the opportunity to co-sponsor a debate so critical, and to call it a  "Lincoln Park-centric" event.

The Chicago Film Office has announced a casting call in Lincoln Park this Saturday, November 21st, at 2251 N. Lincoln Avenue, for an extreme weight loss show to be produced by ABC-TV.   They promise to "take the weight right off before your eyes." 

 Mm-hmm. Men targeting at least a 200 lb. drop in weight are invited to audition, and for women's weight loss the goal is 150 lbs.  

 

Photo: Flickr user Robert S. Donovan

 

 

We take your extreme weight loss show casting, ABC, and raise you one COOKIE BAR.

 

Does everyone remember Molly's awesome post about Todd Stroger and the BGA-moderated panel at DePaul this Sunday? Of course you remember! You totally bookmarked that blog post, wrote it down in your day planner, and called up all your friends and neighbors and told them about it, too, so that you can all go together after church or brunch.

Because that's how awesome and important it's going to be.

Well, on the off chance you can't make it out on Sunday, even though you really want to, we decided it would be a good idea to start a conversation going about the panel on here.

What kinds of questions do you want answered at the panel discussion? Are there any questions you have for Todd Stroger, Toni Preckwinkle, Dorothy Brown, or Terrence O'Brien?

Post your questions or concerns in here, and Molly and I will do our best to ask them for you tomorrow!

Description of the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Photo uploaded to Flickr by teofilo.

Lincoln Park Now is a neighborhood blog, which seems straightforward enough. But now, in our appointed roles as community bloggers, Molly and I are left with the tough, philosophical task of defining what exactly the Lincoln Park neighborhood is.

The great thing about neighborhoods is that they are dynamic. They are subject to the flux of residents, businesses, real estate, tourists, and anything else that might pass right through or stay a while.

Neighborhood boundaries are even more fluid. People who live in certain areas identify with particular neighborhoods regardless of where we draw lines on a map. Neighborhoods are constantly being shaped and defined by the people who occupy them, but even these definitions rely on the individuals who produce them. The difficult thing about neighborhoods, then, is that they are so subjective.

If everyone's opinion is valid, then who gets to be right? How can we define Lincoln Park?

We halt this search for the best place too see glistening pints overflow on Lincoln Avenue this weekend to give you the in on something we find positively fabulous, and not at all nerdy. 

 

So, Lincoln Parkers, may we subtly suggest the possibility of spending your last 50 degree weather Sunday of 2009 steered toward DePaul University's Student Center (Belden at Sheffield) at 1 p.m. this Sunday, November 15?

 

The Better Government Association (BGA) and your own 43rd Ward Democrats have organized what promises to be a proper meeting of the minds amongst those vying for the democrat nomination for the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners seat in the 2010 primary on February 2. 

 

 While BGA President Andy Shaw moderates, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger will take on opponents 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown, and President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Terrence O'Brien.

 

In case you haven't heard, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce has spoken out against
President Stroger's veto power....