CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Logan Square, Portage Park

Lakeview: The Park at Wrigley Field continues to expand with the addition of new restaurant Brickhouse Tavern. It boasts four bars and two outdoor terraces, all with a view of the Wrigley plaza. The tavern is named after famed Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse and has a huge wall installation made entirely of baseball bats. The menu is loaded with upscale pub food, all of which had my mouth watering. The Loaded Potato Twists are particularly intriguing, topped with pulled pork, cheddar ale sauce, banana peppers, and sour cream. You can also grab giant slices of pizza, Chicago dogs, burgers, and salads. Hours are 11 am to 2 am daily.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: An online bike lane petition in Wicker Park has exploded since launching last week. Over 900 signatures have been collected so far on the petition which calls for new bike lanes and other safety measures along Milwaukee Avenue. “As the Chicago Department of Transportation, local aldermen, and the Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area work to develop a series of low-cost, near term improvements to Milwaukee Avenue, we implore them to use the opportunity to think big,” the petition states. A rally to support the petition, “Mobilizing for a Safer Milwaukee Avenue”, will be held from 6-8 pm this evening at 1630 N Damen Ave, with free beer served by Revolution Brewery. The petition seeks to add new bike lanes to help reduce bike/car crashes, in addition to reducing speed limits and adding more space for cyclists and pedestrians along Milwaukee. Find more information about the petition here.

Lincoln Park: The Alphawood Gallery presents a new exhibit called “Then They Came For Me”. The exhibit revisits the Japenese-American internment during World War II. The exhibit opens today in the Lincoln Park gallery, located at 2401 N Halsted St. Heavily featured are photographs by Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, photographers hired by the War Relocation Authority in 1942. Executive Director James McDonough says the gallery conceived the exhibit in February of this year, around the 75th anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt’s executive order for internment camps. The Japanese American Service Committee partnered with the gallery, lending suitcases used during the internment, diaries, historical materials, and documents. The exhibit will run through November 19.

Andersonville: If you’ve been looking forward to the return of Argyle Night Market, you’re in luck! This exciting market opens its fifth season on Thursday, July 6. The market will run every Thursday from 5 to 9 pm until August 31. It sprawls down Argyle Street from Kenmore Avenue to Sheridan road, featuring fresh food, produce, vendors, family activities, and live entertainment. Ron Haynes Game Changers will perform on opening night. Vendors include Café Hoang, Empanadas Argentinas, Magic Circle Crepes, Organic Bread of Heaven, Pho Viet, and more. Find more information on the event’s Facebook page!

Logan Square: Logan Square’s first rooftop patio is finally under construction at 2515 N Milwaukee. Owen & Engine chef Bo Fowler is heading up the new Bixi brewpub. While she hasn’t released a firm opening date, construction is ramping up. The pub will serve large, shareable plates of Asian-inspired, fusion food. There’s not much buzz about the menu yet, but with the speed of construction, more details are such to be released soon. Keep an eye on this exciting new spot!

Portage Park: Do you have the greenest thumb in Chicago? Time to prove it! The first Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards is accepting entries through July 7. Four types of gardens will be recognized: ornamental, vegetable, container, and specialized (like a rain garden or green roof). Each garden type will be given awards in four categories: small residential, large residential, school, and other (church, business, etc.). The competition is for Chicago residents only and will be judged by master gardeners and horticulture professionals. Find more details about the competition and apply here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO