Thursday, May 23, 2013
A groundbreaking is planned Friday for a new playground in Wicker Park. The school has worked with Ald. Moreno for four years to accomplish the project.
Crews will break ground Friday on a demolition and overhaul of Jose de Diego Elementary School’s playground—a move school officials say will integrate it more into the neighboring Clemente Park. De Diego Principal Alice Vera says the project has been a long time coming because, for a while, it was unclear whether Clemente Park belonged to the Chicago Parks District or the Chicago Public School district. Several years later, the school is now ready to expand and create an active new playground for its students. “I have to give credit to our alderman, Joe Moreno,” Vera said. “He worked tirelessly along with CPS, and we managed to get the land. And we had a parent group who worked along with Moreno for I want to say four years. It’s been a …
A new Middle Eastern restaurant will soon be joining neighborhood favorites, Sultan's Market and Falafel & Grill.
Plans have finally been revealed for a Division Street storefront that has had brown paper and a "Middle Eastern Cuisine" sign posted across its windows for several months. Shawarma Garden will be opening this July in 1951 W. Division St., which was the former home of Habit boutique, according to an Eater report. Remnants of that boutique's sign remain etched in the window. But new restaurant owner Mary Ann Mubayed says she wants to "bring (her) heritage to Division Street," the story says. She'll be cookin up some of her family's secret recipes. Get more local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here. The Mubayed family ran Universal Liquors on North Avenue for 25 years, DNA …
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What happens when an NFL quarterback, MTV reality star turned jewelry designer and British recording artist known for hits including "Caribbean Queen", join forces? A rockin' 80s party, that's what.
Jay Cutler wants to see you dressed in neon spandex while sporting teased hair and a fanny pack. That's right—the Chicago Bears quarterback is hosting an 80s dance party fundraiser featuring a special performance by none other than the decade's mega star, Billy Ocean. The band, The Breakfast Club, will also take the stage. The event is scheduled for July 18 at Joe's, 940 W. Weed St., just east of Bucktown and Wicker Park. Cutler is at the helm with wife, Kristin Cavallari, and all proceeds benefit The Jay Cutler Foundation. Tickets officially went on sale Tuesday. They're $85 a pop for general admission, which includes one hour of open bar—an hopefully, some Hammer pants—or $250 for VIP entry, which includes three hours of open bar, a …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
One of the most popular Chicago Bears is now calling it quits, according to CBS Chicago.
Chicago Bears veteran of 13 years Brian Urlacher officially retired Wednesday morning, according to CBS Chicago. The 34-year-old linebacker says he has no regrets ending a professional career playing exclusively for the Chicago Bears. “Although I could continue playing, I’m not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that’s up to my standards,” Urlacher told CBS news. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13 year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.” Urlacher recently made news in March when he couldn’t strike a new contract deal with the Bears—claiming the one-year, $2 million offer was “a slap in the face.”
Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.
Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party. 1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead -- say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” Try …
Two neighborhood pools are opening long after Memorial Day this year.
The official first day of summer—June 21—is right around the corner but technically, local swimming pools will be opening in the spring. Both Bucktown's Holstein Park pool, 2200 N. Oakley St., and other nearby option, Pulaski Park, 1419 N. Blackhawk St. in Logan Square, open for business June 19. The outdoor pool season typically runs from mid-June through Labor Day. The two local options are among 50 of their kind in the Chicago Park District system. They have accessibility features such as ADA stairs and pool lifts. At a few locations with pool lifts, direct wheelchair access to the pool area may still be limited. Follow us on Facebook!
The Chicago native was the keyboardist for the legendary 1960s band.
Ray Manzarek grew up on the South Side taking piano lessons and was a graduate of Saint Rita High School, he went on to help form the legendary rock group the Doors. Manzarek died on May 20 at the age of 74 after battling bile duct cancer, according to the New York Times. As a member of a band whose sound would help define the late 1960s, Manzarek may be best known for his soaring organ riffs that became an indelible aspect of the band's sound. It was a sound influenced by his classical training, according to the Times. "The quasi-Baroque introduction Mr. Manzarek brought to the Doors’ 1967 single “Light My Fire“ . . . helped make it a million-seller. Along with classical music, Mr. Manzarek also drew on jazz, R&B, cabaret and ragtime. …
A new bistro concept is headed to Southport Avenue, taking up residency in a building with a very colorful history. Owners also plan for just as many outdoor seats as indoor.
French bistro-style restaurant The Bentley is gearing up for a June opening on Southport, and the storefront owner Brian Dohmen chose for his new venture certainly has some history. The space at 2834 N. Southport Ave., one block north of Diversey Parkway, was most recently Palette Bistro. But before that, it was Lucca’s, an Italian restaurant where a man was murdered. The then-restaurant manager Randall Hilderband suffocated when he was tied up with electrical cords and had tape placed over his mouth and nose during a 2008 robbery, CBS Chicago reports. David Sidener was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder. While in business, Lucca’s menu detailed the odd history the storefront went through, including a funeral parlor in the …
Chicago and U.S. officials are teaming up in honor of National Safe Boating Week.
Summertime temperatures surely have many residents beelining for North Avenue beach or Diversey Harbor. But Chicago officials, the U.S. Coast Guard and boating industry stakeholders are asking that they first take a moment to remember the fundamentals of boating safety including the need for life jackets, to ensure boats are safe and secure and to not drink and drive. This week marks National Safe Boating Week, which seeks to promote a safe and enjoyable summer on the city's waterways. A total of 651 boaters died on U.S. waterways in 2012, according to Coast Guard statistics. Among those, the 379 of the 459 people who drowned were not wearing a life jacket. Small recreational vessels, including paddle boats, are the most vulnerable—Seven …
Steven Martindale
7:06 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
THX 4 THE MEMORIES #54 more ›