CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – PORTAGE PARK LAKEVIEW WEST LOOP OLD TOWN EVANSTON

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – PORTAGE PARK LAKEVIEW WEST LOOP OLD TOWN EVANSTON

Metra has announced that it will begin the next phase of the bridge work on the Union Pacific North Line next month. Construction starts in April on 22 aging bridges and the rebuilding of the Ravenswood Metra station on the north side of Chicago. This year as opposed to last summer the work will be done with two-track operation meaning no change in train schedules.

LAKEVIEW

This is a fightin’ week. Be sure to join Chicago comedy group Octavarius at Stage 773 in Lakeview on Sunday March 20 and March 27 to see Former WWE superstar Scott Colton will make a guest appearance at "Octavarius: The Battle for the Belt." Colton is set to appear live at the show on March 20 and tape vignettes for the shows on Sunday and March 27.

WEST LOOP

Introducing a newly revamped wine bar cum exclusive whiskey bar 694 Wine & Spirits. Last year the owners purchased Juicy Wine Co. and have made changes slowly. They have been doing remodeling – tearing out booths updating floors replacing the cheese case with a new bar. With specialties like obscure scotch and the occasional rare Italian stout there will still be an extensive wine list.

OLD TOWN

Time to get your fight on. For those of you who are interested in MMA-style (Mixed Martial Arts) fighting a new gym Emerald Smoke has just recently opened in River West. The gym has instructors who are professional MMA fighters black belts purple belts and iron men. Essentially the classes are no-contact but when you’re ready to go one-on-one take note of the chain-link fence ring in the back. On Friday nights you’ll show up for cage-sparring matches with nothing but padding your wits and a will to survive.

EVANSTON

Help us start envisioning Evanston’s future. Everyone who lives works or studies in Evanston is invited to a free Community Rally to kick off Evanston150. The rally is hosted by media personality and Evanston resident Bill Campbell. Evanston150 is a community-wide initiative that engages all of us in imagining our future resulting in 10 visionary ideas to celebrate Evanston’s 150th anniversary in 2013.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO