Breakfast is Served!

Starting tomorrow (3/3/12), breakfast sandwiches are officially on the menu at Pillars. Check it:

$63,000?!

According to trulia.com, the current median sales price for homes in Rogers Park is $63,000. Wow. I'm trying to stay positive here, and I know that the neighborhood is seeing some great improvements. But if I could go back five years and scratch the idea to buy a condo instead of rent...

Free Movies, Suckas!

Free movies at the 400 in RP for families at 10:00 this Saturday. This is a truly cool offering.

"El" Improvements on Far North Side

The talk of closing down some elevated train platforms has got some people in a stink again. There have been community gatherings designed to discuss the impact of the CTA improvements and the potential loss of some of the train stations on the far north side and Evanston.

In Chicago, the stations that have questionable futures are: Lawrence in Uptown, Thorndale in Edgewater, and Jarvis in Rogers Park. Those possibly slated for closure in Evanston: South Boulevard and Foster.

My first thought when this first surfaced was how the businesses at Jarvis Square will suffer. But then I started to think about it more; those businesses probably get 80 or 90% of their businesses from Rogers Park residents, not people passing by on the El. I won't argue that it well help any of these businesses, but would it be detrimental?

The other thought is the commute we have from the far north side. There are 18 stops from Howard before you enter the loop downtown. 18! That is absurd. The Jarvis stop is only a stone's throw from Howard, and Granville & Thorndale are practically connected they are so close to one another. People can still enjoy the businesses with an extra block to walk...who knows, it could actually improve the commute that many of us take twice a day, every day! Let's slim down to 15 stops.

Wings at Aqua

I saw a flyer posted on the window at Aqua. They are featuring $5 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT wings for the Super Bowl.

You know, for those of you that like that kind of thing. Beer, football, wings.

North Grant Park Renovation

And now for a bit of the 'Beyond.'

Millenium Park was completed before I moved here, so I don't know much about the area before I got here -- other than that it was a train yard. What I do know is that it is one of the best parts of downtown Chicago in my opinion. A great mix of green space and technology and art. And now Grant Park, that abuts Millenium Park to the south, is about to be renovated.

In the proposed plan there will be additions including: an ice skating ribbon, a climbing wall, and added park furniture that looks sculptural and artistic. You can read more about the proposed plans at www.northgrantpark.org.

Super Bowl Party at Mayne Stage

I received an email from the Mayne Stage newsletter and they will be throwing the Super Bowl up on their 22 foot screen. I have to stop and think about what that means -- 22 foot screen? I haven't caught a game there but I can't imagine that it is anything less than awesome.

For Super Bowl Sunday, they will be opening up at 11 and food and drink will be available in the theater area provided by Act One Cafe.

Mayne Stage is located at the intersection of Morse Avenue and Wayne.

Pillars is Open

Pillars opened today and I convinced my neighbor to pass up Starbucks so that we could take a peak. I must say that I am really happy that this place opened up; the second I walked in I felt like I was somewhere that has interest in making a strong statement. Some may not like this, but it feels like a place that belongs in Lincoln Park or Bucktown.

First off, the ambience is fantastic. The place feels super cozy and open. There is a fireplace to enjoy in a smaller closed off section for the coffee drinkers. There are actually two small congregating areas and one large dining area. It is evident that the place was built to be green, with many of the materials used being recycled goods. It looks very clean and feels good to be in the place.

The menu looks promising, too: no preservatives used and all ingredients are organic. They have a number of salads, panini sandwiches, soups/chili, and even burgers. This place just added instant value to those that live around here.

Peoples Gas Wrecking Shop in RP

Peoples Gas has a huge project ongoing where gas mains are being replaced all over the city. While I am all for infrastructure improvement, I have my fears about PG's ability to fix all of the sidewalks and landscaping that they are ripping out on the back end of these projects. I spend a lot of time cleaning up our parkway and courtyard, and they have already ripped out a few bushes and burried bulbs to only replace with SAND. Yes, beautiful and impossible-to-cultivate in SAND. I've learned that they will be trenching through our courtyard as well, and I'm hoping this is only a rumor. PG probably wants to get in, drop the main, and get out as quick as possible. That means all the work some of us do keeping our yards nice and our plants happy will be suffering a big setback with this disruption.

Here's a map of the work affecting RP:

Your Area Gang Map

According to the most recent information, there are somewhere between 70,000 and 125,000 gang members in Chitown. The entire article can be found in the January issue of Chicago Magazine, but I thought I would show the map provided. Looks like Rogers Park is solidly GD (Gangster Disciples).

"Tired of All These Honkeys"

I just got off the Red Line where I came from my office downtown. As I walked out the door onto the sidewalk, I held the door open for a man approaching the same entrance. His way of thanking me was looking at me and saying "I'm tired of all these honkeys around here."

Well I guess I'm a honkey, so he's got me there. I have no idea what it is like to be a black man in this world, but I sure as hell wouldn't consider saying anything like that to anyone of any race. What is it that he is tired of, it's confusing me... Is it because I go to my job and earn a living, and in turn pay taxes? Is it because I participate in neighborhood and community improvement projects? Is it because I pick up trash that people leave all over the sidewalks and parkways? Is it because I generally try to respect people and be a decent person?

Oh well. He can choose to hate me and the rest of the white folks he shares the 'hood with if it makes his day any better.

Sorry, Chicago

It was weird for me today to root against the Bears. It took me a while (a few years) to warm up to them after moving from Colorado. The Broncos played the Bears today, and I had to choose: my past or my now. With football, and with only 16 games a season, I still have to keep the Broncos at home with me. I root for the Bears any time they aren't playing against my boys. Today, it was Tebow, but more importantly Matt Prater with a 59 and 51 yard field goals that did the Bears in. Crazy game.

Brunch at the Growling Rabbit

We were talking about getting a bite to eat for lunch somewhere around the neighborhood today, when a post came through on Facebook advertising brunch at the Growling Rabbit. We decided that it was a lock since we had yet to try the food.

The Growling Rabbit is a cafe located in Ennui's old location, at the southeast corner of Sheridan and Lunt. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as pastries and coffee. Today they also had Taste come by to offer mimosas and bloodies.

Let me just say that it has been a long time since I have had a breakfast or a brunch at a restaurant that was not only tasty, but left me feeling somewhat healthy. This is NOT a greasy spoon, and after the Thanksgiving holiday, it was a welcome change. I had a breakfast burrito, that is served up with egg whites, fresh pico de gallo, and avacado rolled up in a grilled tortilla. Delicious. Add a side of fruit or some fresh home style potatoes and you have a good start to your day.

First Sampling of Aqua

I finally got a chance to try out a few items on the Aqua menu this past weekend. I know my last two posts are about Aqua, but bear with me.

Aqua, located at 1146 W. Pratt, has changed only a little bit in appearance since the departure of Ropa. The same tables and chairs remain as wells as the glasses, plates, and silverware. Added are three or four large TVs, a juke box, a pool table, and a video game.

Everything else seems to be vastly different, and as of the late stages of Ropa, vastly improved. The menu was obviously prepared by a trained chef. The ingredients go beyond the scope of a typical sports bar...I think Aqua is still trying to pin down their identity.

I tried some of the more simple items while I watched the Bears game on Sunday. The burger was delicious. The bartender didn't need to tell me that it was grass fed beef, I knew the second I bit into it. The fries are hand-cut and served with some rich and textured garlic spread. Delicious, every fattening bite. Everyone that I've talked to that has sampled the food has had good things to say. From memory there are pastas available, vegetarian food, a steak (which I've heard is enormous), and seafood. Salads, soups and appetizers are available as well. The prices are good, too.

Grass Fed Beef!!!!

Aqua is a Hit

Well Aqua is starting off well. I went last night at 9:00 pm for a quick drink to survey the situation, and they were busy beyond belief. The food looked good and I can contest that the beer flavor and selection is well addressed. Happy that this place is motivated and ready to improve the 'hood.