Runners Rule the Streets During Ravenswood 5k

On Sunday, April 29, two feet trumped four wheels, and even God. For Fleet Feet’s 16th Annual Ravenswood 5k, streets were closed from Hermitage to Paulina and Irving Park to Leland; All Saints Episcopal Church, 4550 N. Hermitage, located at the start/finish line, canceled 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. services. Hard to communicate with the [...]

LSC Meet & Greet: ‘You Have Your Work Cut Out for You’

Nearly 40 LSC candidates turned out for Center Square Journal‘s meet and greet Tuesday night at DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave., demonstrating their commitment to improving Chicago’s public schools. State Rep. Greg Harris (13th District), on hand to show his support along with colleague Ann Williams (11th), noted that while the legislature in Springfield [...]

Perfect Weekend for Egg Hunts on Two and Four Legs

More than 200 dogs and at least twice as many of their two-legged friends attended this year’s Horner Park Doggie Egg Hunt, the best turnout to date, according to Horner Park Supervisor Tom McManamon. On Saturday, April 7, owners brought their dogs to have photos taken with the Easter Bunny; others came for the Doggie [...]

Local Authors Collaborate on Improv-Inspired Novel

The Living Wills, a new novel from Eckhartz Press, pulls off something not often seen in works of fiction set in Chicago: a story that doesn’t rely on Bridgeport-style accents or tired stereotypes. Despite well-placed details that foster authenticity–homes in Lincoln Square and Roscoe Village, gatherings at Waveland Bowl, a crowded Addison bus before a [...]

Albany Park Community Meeting Raises More Questions Than Answers

Close to 300 residents of the greater Albany Park and Ravenswood Manor community packed the auditorium at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 4432 N. Troy St., Wednesday night to voice their concerns about increased gang violence in the neighborhood and to hear how Ald. Dick Mell (33rd) and Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy intend to combat [...]

Happy Holidays!

Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Ravenswood Presbyterian

Ravenswood Presbyterian Church, located at 43oo N. Hermitage Ave., hosted their 2nd annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 23, the evening before Thanksgiving. The pastor of the bilingual church, Rev. Magdalena Garcia, said they did more to spread the word about the dinner this year, putting up fliers in the neighborhood and advertising at [...]

Northcenter Pet Costume Parade Photos

The annual Pet Costume Parade marched on Sunday through Northcenter, despite the damp and cold weather. Dogs and their owners followed the route from Grace to Lincoln, stopping at dog-friendly businesses along the way. The parade ended at Town Square on Belle Plaine and Lincoln, where organizers from the Northcenter Neighborhood Association hosted a wet, [...]

Marching with CSJ in the Von Stuben Parade

Last Saturday Center Square Journal marched with a few hundred other people in the annual Von Stuben Day parade down Lincoln Ave. Here’s a some of what we saw.

Ravenswood Remix Photos

This weekend’s first ever Ravenswood Remix recycled art fair was doused by torrential rains on Saturday, but bounced back Sunday with a good turnout under cooler and dryer conditions. Some artists and vendors were temporarily flooded out of their tents Saturday afternoon, but returned Sunday to display a fantastic variety of recycled art and eco-friendly [...]

Ravenswood Remix, Chicago’s 1st Green-Themed Festival

Another new street festival has been added to the end of summer lineup on the north side of Chicago, but this one isn’t food-themed like many  festivals in the area, such as Northcenter Ribfest or North Side Summerfest. This Labor Day weekend in Northcenter, Ravenswood Remix, set for the 4100 N. Ravenswood Ave. block, will become the [...]

Photos of St. Demetrios’ 62nd Annual Greekfest

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2727 W. Winona St., celebrated its 82nd anniversary with its 62nd annual Greek Fest in this past weekend. Live Greek music, rides, games, and craft vendors were some of the fest’s features. The biggest draw of all was, of course, the traditional Greek fare. Gyros, souvlakia (meat skewers), and pastichio [...]

North Side Summerfest, Hot Diggity-Dog!

Crowds came out for this year’s expanded North Side Summerfest over the weekend on Lincoln and Damen Aves. in Northcenter, as jets from the air and water show zoomed overhead. Although rain showers kicked off the festival early Saturday afternoon, the skies soon cleared and live music performances on two stages played through Sunday evening. [...]

Maifest Crowd Unfazed by Heat

The 12th annual Maifest in Lincoln Square brought out the crowds on Saturday afternoon, June 4th, despite the heat. Under the main tent the Phenix band kept people hopping with German folk music. The beer flowed into traditional “das boots”, as well as Maifest memorabilia plastic steins, while families shared favorite speciality foods such as German [...]