CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lakeview, Loop, Naperville, Ravenswood, Portage Park

LAKEVIEW

The new Lakeview Pantry, conveniently located under the Sheridan El stop at 3945 N. Sheridan Rd., opened its door this past Monday, 6/20. It is a welcome sight since its construction began in August of last year to replace and improve on the old location at 3831 N. Broadway. The two-story facility now houses both the food pantry on the lower level and the social services network upstairs that includes job training and mental health counseling. According to DNAinfo.com, 97% of Lakeview Pantry’s clients are made up of working families that are “trapped in the cycle of poverty” and only 3% represent homeless individuals. Join Lakeview Pantry for the Grand Opening Celebration with a community open house and tours of the facility on Saturday, 6/25, from 12:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. A donation of a box of cereal is requested to help stock the shelves.

LOOP

This week the Loop introduced its new ping pong restaurant, AceBounce, at 230 N. Clark St. which is across the river from  River North’s ping-pong social club, SPiN (344 N. State St.) which had opened in March. I don’t know when ping pong became such an interest in Chicago but I’m super excited to pick up a paddle and a beer and give it a go. AceBounce Chicago is the first American import from the original Bounce chain that started in London in 2012 by entrepreneurs Adam Breeden and Dov Penzik. The restaurant part of the establishment is named “1901” for the year the first book of ping pong rules was published in England with a Mediterranean, Asian, and American infused menu created by former Virgin Hotels Chicago chef Rick Gresh. Hours of operation are Mondays – Wednesdays 4:00p.m. – 12:00a.m.; Thursdays 4:00p.m. – 1:00a.m.; Fridays & Saturdays 12:00p.m. – 1:00a.m.; and Sundays 12:00p.m. – 11:00p.m.

NAPERVILLE

This is a warning to drivers everywhere, not just Naperville. Tomorrow, Friday 6/24, Naperville police will be performing random roadside safety checks at unnamed locations. This is a reminder to designate your designated drivers ahead of time or plan to use cabs or public transportation if your Friday night may include drinking. Last year 369 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs around Naperville. Now what would you have done if we never gave you this vague warning? That’s right. You will NEVER drink or do drugs then get behind a wheel and you’ll wear your seatbelt always!

RAVENSWOOD

This neighborhood has been growing into a community of great craft breweries. This year, up to 10 local breweries and several retailers and food trucks are getting together for the inaugural Ravenswood On Tap outdoor festival  from 3:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. this Saturday, 6/25, in front of Empirical Brewery’s taproom at 1801 W. Foster Ave. There will also be live music throughout the day and kid friendly activities. Your $5 admission donation will help fund Ravenswood Community Council’s beautification projects and Bowmanville Community Organization’s mission to strengthen the links between residents, local government, real estate developers, businesses and other community groups.

PORTAGE PARK

The Lunch Bus, sponsored by The Greater Chicago Food Depository, serves healthy lunches to children and teens during the summer months, many of which rely on school lunches throughout the rest of the year. The program begins this coming Monday, 6/27, and runs on weekdays through September 2nd. It will stop daily at St. John’s Lutheran Church (4939 W. Montrose Ave.) from 10:50a.m. – 11:10a.m. For more information, call the Food Depository at 773-247-3663 ext. 4080.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO