CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lincoln Park, South Loop, Gold Coast, Evanston, Norwood Park

LINCOLN PARK

Kirby Kerr, the owner of Rotofugi™ Designer Toys, Art & Pop Culture is making a plea to the community through DNAinfo.com to keep his business alive. This designer art/toy store has grown from its small shop in the Ukrainian Village 12 years ago to the 2780 N. Lincoln Ave. location, attracting adults and children alike to its unique wares. Mr. Kerr and his wife are looking to expand the shop to rent out space for private events and birthday parties since declining purchases of collectibles is a usual result during times of economic hardships. “We’re not looking for a handout,” says Kerr, but instead wishes to be “…very forthright and transparent with our customer base.” Spread the word with us to stop in to Rotofugi or shop online to help keep another good business from being shuttered.

SOUTH LOOP

While one business is struggling, another is thriving. Nepal House, the fine dining Nepalese cuisine restaurant that offers a lunch buffet, and catering and dining on Tuesdays through Sundays from 11:00a.m. to 9:30p.m. at 1301 S. Michigan Ave. is expanding to the culturally diverse restaurant area of Devon Ave. The new location will be at 2601 W. Devon and replaces Curry Bowl.

GOLD COAST

July 30th is a day of remembrance for the excellence that is Cheesecake. Although the history is unclear, National Cheesecake Day is celebrated on July 30th and this year The Cheesecake Factory is inviting everyone to dine in with half-priced slices of cheesecake for two days only, Friday 7/29 and Saturday 7/30.  Make a date to stop into the John Hancock Center location at 875 N. Michigan Ave. while the offer lasts.

EVANSTON

LYFE Kitchen is hosting a “Sunday Fun-Day” at the 1603 Orrington Ave. location this weekend on Sunday 7/31 at 2:00p.m. This 30 minute event will feature music and storytelling by Linda Dennison who is co-founder with her husband of The Play Cafe Chicago which can be hired for entertaining at children’s events and birthday parties. LYFE Kitchen promotes healthy eating and claims to have options that even picky eaters could love.

NORWOOD PARK

The discussion and complaints regarding excessive jet noise due to O’Hare International Airport’s expansion continues. According to Nadig Newspapers, an ordinance is being filed by Indian Woods resident and former leader of legal and legislative affairs of the Fair Allocation In Runways Coalition (FAIR), Donald Walsh, to grant seats on the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission board to alderman from neighboring areas, including Norwood Park in the 41st Ward. As of now, the ONCC  is made up of people appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel plus the sole elected official, 45th Ward Alderman John Arena, who had directly asked Mayor Emanuel to appoint him to the board. Mr. Walsh filed the ordinance with the City Clerk’s Office in hopes that concerned aldermen will sponsor the ordinance to allow members of FAIR and other groups, such as the O’Hare Noise Group of Wood Dale, to better represent  the residents most affected by air traffic.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO