OPERATION "ROLLING STONES": The Chicago Police Department concluded another successful drug sting operation in Uptown on August 15, 2006. Operation "Rolling Stones" is the sixth major drug bust in Uptown in the last seven years. Police targeted narcotics activity in the vicinity of Winona and Sheridan Road and were able to identify twenty one offenders. On August 15, fifteen of the the suspects were arrested and warrants were issued for the remaining suspects.

The investigation began in May and was a follow up to a previous investigation, Operation "Fort Sheridan", conducted a year ago, targeting the corner of Argyle and Sheridan Road.

During the course of Operation "Rolling Stones", police made 21 undercover drug purchases and siezed $7,700 in crack cocaine and five hand guns. The police have also said that this narcotics activity involved members of the P-Stones and the Four Corner Hustlers street gang.

These recent arrests have sparked a renewed interest in Court Advocacy in the block clubs most affected by the narcotics activity. Alderman Mary Ann Smith and staff have been instrumental in providing the community with court information and court dates for the offenders charged in this investigation. The UCC is grateful for their support and the hard work of the 20th and 23rd Districts as well as the Narcotics and Gang Investigations Team.

COURT ADVOCACY DATES: Community residents are requested to attend court cases as Court Advocates. Requests have been made to attend the following cases:

1001-1013 W. Leland This building, located at the south east corner of Leland and Sheridan, has been in a state of disrepair for many years. The owner, Sam Alexander, has a long history of collecting rent from tenants and doing the bare minimum to maintain his properties. The building is currently surrounded by scaffolding.

After many false promises to address numerous code violations, the building is finally in Housing Court as part of the City's Troubled Buildings Initiative. Several neighbors and UCC representatives have been attending this case for the past year and we highly encourage others to attend as well. The next court date is October 11, 10 A.M. in Room 1107 at the Daley Center.

Benjamin Johnson has been charged with the brutal sexual assault that occurred on the 4100 block of N Sheridan Rd. He has also been charged in connection with the recent sexual assault that occurred on the 600 block of W. Addison. The community is asked to support these victims by their presence in the court room. Mr. Johnson is currently in Cook County Jail. His next court date is October 11, 9:30 A.M. in Rm 308 at the Court House at 26th & California.

Marigold now open!
Husband and wife owners Laurel and Sandeep Malhotra have opened a modern Indian restaurant inspired by places they visited in India and London.

With the help of chef Monica Riley, Marigold serves familiar Indian fare from all regions of India, with a contemporary twist. It's a perfect spot for pre-theater dining, as it's right next door to the Annoyance Theater.

Stop by for dinner at 4832 N. Broadway any night but Monday. Call 773-293-GOLD (4653) or visit their website for more information, www.marigoldrestaurant.com

WILSON YARD Update
The Big Box Ordinance was vetoed by the Mayor, and the veto was upheld on Wednesday, September 13, as three members reversed their votes to side with the Mayor, and our Alderman for the 46th Ward, Helen Shiller also cast her vote with the Mayor. Alderman Shiller was the only alderman who did not cast a vote in July. She said she made the decision to oppose a living wage she has long championed, not to save the Target store she hopes to bring to the Wilson Yards project in her ward, but because she thinks the ordinance was too narrow. In a Chicago Sun-Times article she is quoted as saying, "A different ordinance I would have supported and supported all the way through. . . . The majority of smaller boxes who don't pay a living wage -- including restaurants and all of the fast-food places - - none of them are affected by this."

Clarendon TIF
With all the talk about the Wilson Yard TIF, and the Lawrence/Broadway TIF, there's also a little known third TIF district in Uptown. The Clarendon TIF District was created in 2004 around the old Charter Barkely hospital site. It encompasses the west side of Clarendon between Leland and Lakeside, goes west on Leland to the Park, meanders south, and abuts the Wilson Yard. The primary focus is on housing. There are currently no funds in this TIF as the buildings included in the TIF were previously not-for-profits. A building formerly built to house Alzeimer's patients, is now being targeted for low-income senior housing. All proposed new projects on the various pieces of land are all housing projects from a proposed mid-rise that would have 120 units to townhomes and 8-flats. Because this is a TIF district, 20% of all units in each development must be set aside for affordable housing. A meeting for this TIF is planned for early October, but no specific date has yet been set.

BUSINESS PARTNERS LUNCHEON with ALDERMAN HELEN SHILLER
Tuesday, September 19
1:00 - 2:00 pm
St. Augustine College, 1333 W. Argyle Street

Alderman Shiller will speak about the community and business in Uptown.
Cost: $20
Parking available in lot between buildings.
Call or email to reserve a seat: rsvp@uptownbusinesspartners.com; 773-878-1184

1st Annual Green is for Grassroots Art Walk on October 14 and 15th
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along the Sunnyside Mall, an outside pedway on Sunnyside Street between Dover and Magnolia Streets

The artwork of more than 20 north side artists, many who are from the Uptown neighborhood, will be on display and for sale. The result will be a diverse compilation of top quality art work--ceramics, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography and more.
Donation is just $2 at entrance--and no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Artists interested in partaking in the event, please contact Erik R. Sosa at esosa@erikRsosa.com or 773- 255-5068.

UPTOWN CAPS MEETINGS: 20th and 23rd Districts

• Beat 2311: Oct 3, 2006: 7pm-8pm: Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave
• Beat 2312: Sept 19, 2006: 7pm-8pm: 4715 N. Sheridan Rd.
• Beat 2313: Oct 11, 2006: 7pm-8pm: Clarendon Park Fieldhouse
• Beat 2322: Oct 5, 2006: 7pm-8pm: Buena Park Library
• Beat 2323/2324: September 20, 2006: 7pm- 8pm: Faith Tabernacle, 3750 N. Halsted St.
• Beat 2024: Oct 19, 2006: 7pm-8pm: Margate Park Fieldhouse
• Beat 2033: Oct 3, 2006: 7pm-8pm: Charlie Chaplin Auditorium, 1345 W. Argyle St

46th Ward Dems. Campaign Kick Off Party
Sunday, September 17
5:30 - 7:30pm
Kinetic Playground, 1113 W. Lawrence Ave.(corner of Lawrence and Broadway – Lawrence Red Line station. Free parking in lot directly behind the club).
Cost: free

The first big event of the 2006 General Election campaign. There will be live music by The Gives and great free food, beer and wine!

Meet with area Democrats and all your local Democratic elected officials including Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky! You’ll also learn exactly how you can help the Democratic ticket this fall.
email info@TomSharpe.org to learn more.

PEGASUS PLAYERS: 2 for 1 tickets—this weekend!
9/15, 9/16 at@ 8PM; 9/17 at@ 3PM

When an English hotel owner on the island of Tobago recruits his Black handyman to work with him on a stage play that's a satirical send-up of Robinson Crusoe, they each get more than they can handle. Characters play parts they've never played before, causing hilarious mishaps and confusion, as they unwittingly explore ideas of imperialism, prejudice and the master-and-servant relationship.
“Characters come fully and movingly to life in Walcott’s hands”- New York Review of Books “Fresh & Funny work”- New York Times
Box Office: (773) 878-9761
For more info visit www.pegasusplayers.org
To see a video preview of the show visit: http://www.stagechannel.com/content/detail.htm? production_id=913

YOUR EVENTS: Send information about neighborhood news, activities and upcoming events to: uptownchicago@sbcglobal.net.

This year was the most successful block club party yet for Buena Park Neighbors. A big thanks to the Jesse White Tumblers who dazzled everyone with their amazing performance. Music, dancing, raffles, police roll call, and distribution of book bags to some lucky winners through the CAPS program occurred last Saturday.