, so I went over to Truman College to buy some fresh veggies at the Uptown Farmer's Market. When I got there, our 'market' (I use the term loosely) consisted of one --

Published by Uptown Update on July 5, 2008.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous this afternoon so we hope everyone enjoys this Independence Day. Today is a great day to take advantage of Uptown's great lakefront. Throw a burger on the grill for us.

Published by Uptown Update on July 4, 2008.

Ask for one at Ventrella’s Caffe, 4947 N. Damen Ave., $3.50 for regular size, $4.50 for large. Or try one of the Lavazza locations around town, where they call it Taglio al Caffé, for $3.39.

Published by Chicago Tribune on July 3, 2008.

The five young men, all between the ages of 13 and 17, press their backs up against the fence inside a play lot somewhere in Uptown. Spotted, their chins sink to their chests, avoiding eye contact with the adult approaching them.

Published by Uptown Update on July 3, 2008.

Francis lived on the Northwest Side, but he grew up in Uptown.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on July 3, 2008.

Broadway is not pedestrian friendly and even less friendly to bicyclists. Even a shared bike lane would be extremely helpful for people who commute through Uptown and Edgewater and make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians in general.

Published by Uptown Update on July 3, 2008.

For those of you who live in the 46th Ward, you probably have noticed your Alderman feels otherwise. If you are new to Uptown and are wanting to find out which block club you should belong to, check out this handy link from the Uptown Chicago Commission here.

Published by Uptown Update on July 2, 2008.

About two hours later, Chicago police officers responded to a call of a person stabbed at the Lawrence CTA station in Uptown, authorities said.

Published by Chicago Tribune on July 2, 2008.

For those of you who live in the 46th Ward, you probably have noticed your Alderman feels otherwise. If you are new to Uptown and are wanting to find out which block club you should belong to, check out this handy link from the Uptown Chicago Commission here.

Published by Uptown Update on July 2, 2008.

The 54-year-old Borzo, who lives in the North Park neighborhood, rides his seven-speed GT Rapid Transit for fun. He rides it to run errands. Sometimes he'll ride it to his job at the Field Museum, where he's a science writer.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on July 2, 2008.

Block Clubs are the heart of the 48th Ward.

Published by Uptown Update on July 2, 2008.

It's owned by a Polish lady in her '60s or '70s named Rose and she bartends. Or the Oakwood [1959 W. Montrose]. Both are stuck in the '70s, early '80s, and that's another reason why they're amazing.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on July 1, 2008.

Hopleaf [5148 N. Clark] is so friendly always and the food is amazing and obviously the beer selection is overwhelming -- in a good way. For brunch, M. Henry [5707 N. Clark] is the place to be. Also Svea [5236 N. Clark]. You can't beat that.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on July 1, 2008.

Borrowing her nephew’s red Radio Flyer wagon, she began making homemade sandwiches and coffee to give to the homeless in Uptown. Friends Vicki Dalicandro, Esther Hall, Vanessa Rich and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan accompanied her.

Published by Chicago Reporter on July 1, 2008.

Here is a quick question for all of you Uptown history buffs. In all of the old photos of the McJunkin Building at Broadway and Wilson we have seen, there was always a "McJunkin" in large letters on the corner of the building near the top. This was covered up in recent years. Does anyone know why? Inquiring minds want to know. Notice how the building looked in the 1970s in the photo below.

Published by Uptown Update on June 30, 2008.

At the Old Town School of Folk Music, McLaughlin teaches six tap classes a week to a mix of young and old. He impresses on his students the legacy he has been gifted, the moves of Brown's technique.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 30, 2008.

Meanwhile, this weekend promises to bring a whole new round of attention to Letts as his first post-"August" play, "Superior Donuts" -- set in a doughnut shop in Chicago's changing Uptown neighborhood -- receives its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 29, 2008.

Sorry for the late notice, but we just found out about a free Uptown & Andersonville bike tour around the area today.

Published by Uptown Update on June 29, 2008.

A reader noticed that the "For Sale" signs have disappeared from the ever-changing lot at Clark and Lawrence, and a zoning amendment sign is placed there instead.

Published by Uptown Update on June 28, 2008.

The series runs each Thursday night at 8 through July 31. Tickets are $10; $2 off for student with ID and repeat customers. The Neo-Futurarium is at 5153 N. Ashland.

Published by Chicagoist on June 26, 2008.

The survey also says: Smoque BBQ (2800 N. Pulaski Rd.) is the top barbecue house in town, Barrington Country Bistro (700 W. Northwest Highway, Barrington), hangs onto its top Bistro perch, Artopolis (306 S. Halsted St.) is Greektown’s new No. 1 and Spacca Napoli (1769 W. Sunnyside Ave.) is atop Chicago’s pizza heap.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 26, 2008.

A 34-year-old woman was returning to her residence on the 5000 block of North Mozart around noon June 17 after taking her children out for a walk, when she noticed that the rear gate was open.

Published by The News-Star on June 26, 2008.

1930s Vintage Without the High Assessments: 4712 N. Paulina

Published by Crib Chatter on June 26, 2008.

A reader received this response from State Senator Heather Steans in regards to Uptown's gang violence:

Published by Uptown Update on June 25, 2008.

4712 N. Paulina in Ravenswood may be the solution to the high assessment problem.

Published by Crib Chatter on June 25, 2008.

Ask for one at Ventrella’s Caffe, 4947 N. Damen Ave., $3.50 for regular size, $4.50 for large. Or try one of the Lavazza locations around town, where they call it Taglio al Caffé, for $3.39.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 25, 2008.

The unidentified person was hit by the train as it was coming in to the elevated station in the 1800 block of West Montrose Avenue just before 10 p.m., said CTA spokeswoman Sheila Gregory.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 24, 2008.

Power has been restored to CTA Red Line trains on the North Side after a man was pinned underneath a train in the Uptown neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. A person made contact with a northbound train near the Wilson Red Line station about 2:24 p.m., according to CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 24, 2008.

"Returning your Garbage - Stop dumping in our yard." Our own Uptown Hatfields and McCoys!Where did the junk causing the feud end up? In the middle of the new and beautiful landscaping at El Pollo Loco. Nothing says "Welcome to the Neighborhood!" like a ripped couch and a couple of nasty mattresses.

Published by Uptown Update on June 21, 2008.

These green products are doing more than helping the environment; they're giving a group of women a second chance in life. "We have great products and it's all done by hand," said Chaquita Reed, The Enterprising Kitchen.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 20, 2008.

For years, Subir Banik, 38, volunteered to serve food to the less fortunate and worked at food banks on the South Side. Now, Banik, an accountant, is served up a daily dose of guilt since he cut the commute to the other side of town from his Uptown residence to save money on gas. "I feel bad," Banik said.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 19, 2008.

Then there’s this 1894 two bedroom Victorian house at 2109 W. Montrose in Lincoln Square. It’s set back on the lot, so there is no garage. In fact, there doesn’t even appear to be a backyard.

Published by Crib Chatter on June 19, 2008.

Burglars bagged a TV and three guitars from an apartment on the 2500 block of West Winona sometime before 11 p.m. June 15. The victim told police that he found his front door wide open and that a window was also open.

Published by The News-Star on June 19, 2008.

Dave Williams of COURAJ is justified in his concern over the gentrification of Uptown. I live in the West Roger Park neighborhood and, right next door to me, are six - figured luxury townhomes.

Published by Uptown Update on June 19, 2008.

Seems like not that long ago Bridget and Tammy at Chicago Bites posted their 100th podcast. This week's review (#109 for those keeping track) is a stellar review of Mixteco Grill [1601 W. Montrose, (773) 868-1601], the new highly-touted Mexican restaurant in the gray area between Lakeview, Ravenswood and North Center that's giving Geno Bahena a run for his mole.

Published by Chicagoist on June 19, 2008.

After 47 years of running a newsstand in the Gold Coast, Zeman migrated to the corner of Western and Lawrence where he perched on a fire hydrant and befriended dozens of area pigeons. Zeman was known to be gentle with the birds and with his neighbors, and was a celebrated Chicago staple. [Trib, Sun-Times]

Published by Chicagoist on June 18, 2008.

Zeman and his pigeons were an unforgettable spectacle in Lincoln Square. Dozens of pigeons would swarm on and around him when he arrived every morning, with fresh birdseed and loaves of bread, in the 4800 block of North Western.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 18, 2008.

A big sinkhole that flooded and shut down Montrose Avenue in Ravenswood back in January is causing closures again.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 18, 2008.

Excavations and repairs need to occur at 1955 W. Montrose. Once again, Montrose Avenue between Damen and Ashland will be closed to through traffic. The Montrose Brown Line Station will remain open.

Published by Uptown Update on June 18, 2008.

Excavations and repairs need to occur at 1955 W. Montrose Ave., according to the alderman's office.

Published by NBC 5 on June 18, 2008.

6-8 PM at Provenance Food and Wine (Lincoln Square), 2312 W. Leland, 773-784-2314 

Published by Chicago Reader on June 17, 2008.

Part of a Ravenswood neighborhood street that was the site of a sinkhole this past January will have to be closed temporarily this week for emergency sewer work. A section of Montrose Avenue near the Montrose Brown Line station on the North Side will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. Thursday for emergency sewer repair work, according to Ald. Gene Schulter's (47th) office.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on June 17, 2008.

Shiller requested that the committee deny the Uptown Chicago Commission its entire grant of $20,000.

Published by Uptown Update on June 17, 2008.

Relatives of the North Side icon widely known as the Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Tuesday against the driver of the van that struck and killed him late last year.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 17, 2008.

Uptown Update likes to spotlight locally owned businesses in our area. Today's is From The Center Pilates Studio, located at 4721 North Clark, across from Chase Park in the Chase Park Commons building.

Published by Uptown Update on June 16, 2008.

"As far as the CTA transportation, Google's got it down pretty good," said Vernon, who moved to Chicago from Florida in April. Vernon used the system to search directions from Wilson and Sheridan to the Metra stop at Lawrence and Ravenswood.

Published by Chi-Town Daily News on June 16, 2008.

TALLULAH (three stars) 4539 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-942-7585 In a neighborhood (Lincoln Square) dotted with intimate and personal restaurants, Tallulah, which opened in March, may be the most sophisticated.

Published by Chicago Tribune on June 16, 2008.

Bad Dog Tavern (4535 N Lincoln)

Published by Chicagoist on June 13, 2008.

Tank Sushi (4514 N Lincoln, "fish with bus fumes! Mmmm." — Karl)

Published by Chicagoist on June 13, 2008.

Erba (4520 N Lincoln Ave.)

Published by Chicagoist on June 13, 2008.