CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, River North, Logan Square, Portage Park
Lincoln Park: Runn Chicago opens later this month at 1448 W. Willow St. Owner Keith Kimble was inspired to start Runn with an epiphany: Why wasn’t anyone doing running classes on treadmills the way they did spinning classes on stationary bikes? The running club will have an open house on August 27. Runn will offer 45-minute classes led by instructors, also called “pacers”. Kimble plans to program different musical themes for each class to keep things interesting. Runn will start with 12 treadmills and plans to double that number by the end of the year. Kimble plans to announce a charity relay race at Runn Chicago’s open house. The race will be run on treadmills and will benefit the Chicago Run organization. Runn Chicago charges $28 per class, $119 for five classes, and $225 for ten classes.
Bucktown and Wicker Park: Riot Fest, a popular Chicago music festival, has announced a new event. They’re throwing a birthday party for John Stamos. Attendees will wear birthday party hats, receive party favors, and eat cake and ice cream in honor of the actor. The party will also feature a menu and art inspired by Uncle Jesse. RSVP online and you’ll be entered to win 4 tickets to the birthday bash, as well as two VIP tickets to Riot Fest. The party is August 19 (John Stamos’ 54th birthday) and begins at 9:30 pm at 1941 W. North Ave. Admission is free.
Lakeview: Wrigleyville residents are trying desperately to save the Taco Bell, located at 1111 W. Addison St. The chain’s lease is up in July of 2018 and plans are in the works to redevelop the site. Neighborhood resident C.J. Black created a Facebook event called “Save the Wrigleyville Taco Bell“. The event asks residents to “Come out and stand up for a wonderful establishment that has always been there for you when you’ve needed it the most. Bring signs and banners. Invite as many people as possible.” The rally will be held in the afternoon on August 26 and as of now, over 1000 people have promised their attendance.
River North: Have you heard of Chicago’s “Friday Night Flights”? The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and Choose Chicago announced them in May: six fests, scheduled between June and August, each held in a neighborhood brewing hub. So far, the series has visited Bridgeport, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, and Bronzeville. The West Loop fest is this Friday (August 11) and Ravenswood on August 25. On Wednesday, the Mayor’s Office announced that August 18th’s event will be held on the Riverwalk. The waterfront will host 14 Chicago breweries from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Tickets are available online for just $15. Ticket price includes ten 3-ounce pours. Food is available for purchase from Riverwalk vendors and there will be free live music. The brewery lineup is as follows: Hopewell, Maplewood, Lake Effect, Begyle, Baderbrau, Haymarket, Band of Bohemia, Alulu Brewpub, Finch Beer Company, Motor Row, Eataly’s Birreria, Argus, Pipeworks, and Alarmist Brewing.
Logan Square: Boulevard Bikes is moving to Milwaukee Ave. The independently-owned bike shop has lived at 2535 N. Kenzie Blvd. for 14 years and will open at 2769 N. Milwaukee Ave. later this fall. Owner Kevin Womac is planning for a soft opening on October 1 and a public opening around Halloween. Select bikes and gear will be on sale until the move, so if you’re looking to buy, now is the time! Womac is excited about the possibilities the larger (and more modern) space has to offer.
Portage Park: Jackson Browne will play a charity concert at the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.) in Jefferson Park this Sunday. The concert will benefit the anti-war group Veterans for Peace. The group consists of military veterans dedicated to “building a culture of peace, exposing the true costs of war, and healing the wounds of war”. This weekend is their annual convention, ending on Sunday with the concert. Jackson Browne will be joined by long-time band member Greg Leisz. Tickets start at $25 and are available online. Doors open at 6:30 and the concert begins at 7:30 pm.
RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
