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

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LAKEVIEW

Congratulations, Lakeview! You hold 2 spots on TimeOut Chicago’s Top 10 Best Fried Chicken joints in Chicago. #1 is The Budlong at 2928 N. Broadway which has only been open for a couple months selling its “Nashville hot” style of chicken. Something tells me this spot will be even more crowded after this acknowledgement. Good thing, according to The Budlong website, there will be new locations opening soon in Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park. #9 on the list is Crisp at 2940 N. Broadway with its consistently delicious Korean-style wings that seem to make every best-fried-chicken-in-Chicago list I’ve ever read. From personal experience including several taste tests with out-of-town visitors, Crisp deserves all the hype it gets.

PORTAGE PARK

Alderman John Arena of the 45th Ward, which includes Portage Park, is the only alderman serving on the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission. According to Nadig Newspapers’ report on the last meeting with the Fair Allocation in Runways Coalition in June, the 45th Ward will be the most affected Chicagoland area once the construction of the 6th runway is planned to be completed by 2020. Last week we reported that the 6-month Fly Quiet Runway Rotation test went into effect on July 6th. The jet noise discussion continues with the neighboring Jefferson Park Association meeting at 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, 7/27, at the First Congressional Church of Jefferson Park (5320 W. Giddings St.) to discuss further. Follow the link above for more information, and here’s the link to the Fly Quiet Survey to weigh in your experiences with the Runway Rotation test before trial end in January 2017.

WEST LOOP

Back in April, a plan was set into motion to redevelop the Bridgford Food Corporation at 170 N. Green St. that would require zoning changes to accommodate a 13-story residential building and another office structure across the street at 171 N. Green St. Finally the proposed Community Meeting has been set to meet with Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. and the developer wishing to present its plans and answer questions on Wednesday, 7/27, at 6:00p.m. at the Merit School of Music (38 S. Peoria St.). The meeting is open to the public and West Loop Community Organization’s Executive Director, Carla M. Agostinelli, can be contacted with questions at 312-666-1991 or carla@westloop.org. You may register ahead of time or upon arrival to the event.

RAVENSWOOD

For the third year in a row, Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and local businesses are sponsoring the 2016 Sustainable Speaker Series that is meant to connect individuals and small businesses with knowledge and networking resources to promote business practices that contribute to a greener and environmentally-friendly global community. Speakers will include representatives from Mightybytes web design and software development, the architecture and design studio, Moss, and composting service, WasteNot Compost. These are all prominent local businesses that incorporate sustainability within their business models. Special events venue, Artifact Events at 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. will host the Series installment next Thursday, 7/28, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. If you are a GRCC member, advanced tickets are only $20 or $25 for non-members. If the event doesn’t sell out, door tickets will be $25 for GRCC members, and $30 for non-members. Food and drinks will be provided by Spoken Cafe, Dovetail Brewing, and Sweet Sensations Pastry.

NAPERVILLE

Anderson’s Bookshop (123 W. Jefferson Ave.) has hosted some big names for booksignings this year including Kate Hudson in February to promote her book “Pretty Happy,” famed “Magic Tree House” author Mary Pope Osborne in March, and TV’s Glee star and “The Land of Stories” author Chris Colfer in July. Often these events sell out before Dean’s Team has a chance to spread the news but not this time! Tickets go on sale this coming Tuesday, 7/26, at 10:00 a.m. for the Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, pro-gun-control spokesperson and now author, Amy Schumer. The event is understandably going to be packed due to Schumer’s hard-earned rise to success so instead of seating, ticket sales for $35 include a copy of her book of essays, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo,” which will be given to you when you arrive and a placeholder number for this line-only booksigning event on August 20th at 2:00p.m. at Pfeiffer Hall of the North Central College campus (310 E. Benton Ave.).  We’re letting you know now before it’s too late – this event is sure to sell out!

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO