CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS - Lincoln Square, Lakeview, Portage Park, Loop, Naperville

LINCOLN SQUARE

This year marks the 10th Anniversary Tour of Midnight Circus’ partnership with the Welles Park Advisory Council to bring cutting edge, live circus performers to parks around the city to raise funds for local park improvements. The troupe of performers had been inspired to bring this style of performance to the U.S. after witnessing similar kinds of theatrics in parks and piazzas in Italy and France, and have been doing so since 2007. This weekend, 10/8 and 10/9, the Midnight Circus will perform at Hamlin Park (3035 N. Hoyne Ave.) at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. But we’re expecting an even bigger turn out, and possible sellout, for next weekend’s blowout performance which takes place where it all started 10 years ago at Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.). This will also be the final set of performances for the season from Friday 10/14 through Sunday 10/16. Friday’s show starts at 7:00 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday shows at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Get your tickets here before they sell out.

LAKEVIEW

There’s new burger joint to discover that prides itself on organic, homemade and fair trade ingredients. Bareburger is a franchise that began in Brooklyn, New York in 2009 and now has several locations across NY, NJ, CT, OH, Philadelphia, and now Chicago at 3357 N. Lincoln Ave. It opened on October 3rd and offers an extensive menu of appetizers, sides, vegetables, and alternatives to beef burgers. We don’t just mean veggie burgers (black bean, quinoa, sweet potato & rice) but also turkey, duck, bison, elk, and wild boar burgers! As if that weren’t enough to get your head swimming in choices, there’s also brisket, falafel, fried chicken, organic shakes, and so many vegetable options that this is bound to be a burger joint to satisfy vegetarians and omnivores alike.

PORTAGE PARK

Here’s a cool and useful idea making its way to Portage Park. The former Air-Mite Devices Inc. manufacturing plant at 4739 W. Montrose Ave. is working on converting into a do-it-yourself car repair shop by the founders of Gearhead Workspace. It will be a 10,000 square-foot space for members or hourly/daily renters to work on their vehicles instead of the hassle and danger of working on the street or in their own garages. There will be 12 lift bays for easily accessing the underside of your car with specialty tools available for rental use. A retail space will have standard parts available for purchase or to be ordered for your specific needs. The Gearhead support team will be on hand if you need some professional help and classes will be offered to pass along valuable knowledge. Early memberships and donations are being accepted to help the concept get off the ground. Dealing with Zoning Appeal issues have stalled the project as they try to include the rear surface lot at 4720 W. Pensacola as part of the automotive shop which is required to have a lot within 100ft of the main entrance. In the meantime, Gearhead Workspace hopes to sublet lift bay space from nearby auto shops to beta test the project. Alderman John Arena is on their side and hopefully this zoning difficulty will be resolved so we can see this great idea move forward.

LOOP

The final installment of Chicago Loop Alliance’s urban alleyway parties, known as Activate, is coming up next Thursday, 10/13, 5:00 p.m. at Sullivan Center Alley (16 E. Monroe St., between State St. and Wabash Ave.). The final party is the culmination of the Celebration of the Senses that Activate has been exploring through the summer season. This 21+ event will revisit the best elements of the past 5 parties that showcased artists’ conceptualizations of touch, sound, smell, sight, and taste. There will also be a live animal exhibition from the Brookfield Zoo and more. Drinks will be available for cash purchase only and, as always, your first drink is free when you follow the link above to RSVP ahead of time.

NAPERVILLE

The Mayor’s Office of Naperville is looking for residents to fill vacant volunteer positions on their Sister Cities Commission board and the Advisory Commission on Disabilities. The Sister Cities Commission aims to “foster international understanding and friendship by forging personal links through city-to-city affiliations.” This 15-member board is looking for two new members with backgrounds in education, finances, or special events and must commit to 7:00 p.m. meetings on the second Wednesday of every month. The Advisory Commission on Disabilities “is an advisory commission to assist, inform and advise the administrative and elected officials of the City on all matters pertaining to discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” They are seeking three to four new members who can commit to attending quarterly 6:30 p.m. meetings, starting in 2017, on the first Wednesday of February, March, August and November. Interested individuals should email trotze@naperville.il.us to apply and visit www.naperville.il.us for more information.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO