"You've Caught the NET!"

Finally . . . it's Superbowl Weekend, folks!  Enjoy!

What say you?  Steelers? Cardinals (formerly, a long time ago, the CHICAGO Cardinals)?

Here is our Team Member Jennifer Arcand's summary of Chicago Neighborhood News for this week.  She explores the Chicago Neighborhoods of Lakeview, Uptown, The West Loop, and Albany Park, as well as the Chicago Suburb of Oak Park IL.

Having a party or other community or civic event in YOUR Chicago Neighborhood or Suburb?  Let us know, so we can help you spread the word!

LAKEVIEW

When the Tribune Co. bought the last-place Cubs and Wrigley Field for $21.1 million in 1981, the park was outdated and worn out.   Fans were even allowed to enter the bleachers free in the late innings, at times. 

Times were simpler then.  The Cubs were still a local favorite and Wrigley Field sported ivy-covered walls and a hand-operated scoreboard.

But change could be coming soon.  The Ricketts family soon may be running a division-winning team in an East Lakeview neighborhood that has gentrified into "Wrigleyville."

Click here to read more.

UPTOWN

Uptown Poetry Slam with Marc Smith is about to celebrate it's second decade running.  This is the granddaddy of all poetry slams.  The evening includes an open mic (7 p.m.), scheduled performers (8 p.m.) and a slam competition (9 p.m.); open end.  This event will be held on Sunday at Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway.  The cost is $6.00.

For more information, click here.

THE WEST LOOP

An eco-friendly day care center is breaking ground in the West Loop.  Scheduled to open in April, the national child care center, Little Green Tree House, will feature non-toxic paints, Energy Star appliances, PVC- and phthalate-free toys.  The menu will consist of an all-organic, locally sourced meal plan.

"We're teaching an eco-friendly lifestyle," says Elizabeth Geldhof, director of business operations for Children's Academies of America.  "We're not going to sit down and have 'green class.' It's just going to be part of everyday life."

For more details, click here.

ALBANY PARK

Much of Chicago's Arab population resides in Albany Park (north) or in Bridgeview (south).   Food made by and for a specific ethnic group always tastes better than imitations made to appeal to others.

In Bridgeview is the old Al Hana restaurant on South Harlem.   The vigorous polka dancing is enough to leave you ready for a hardy meal.  This Lebanese Cuisine is authentic and inexpensive and people should try it out.

Click here to read all about it.

OAK PARK

Neil Gaiman, who has written best-selling science fiction and fantasy novels for children as well as adults, won the John Newbery Medal on Monday for excellence in children's literature for "The Graveyard Book."  

"It's a great fantasy novel and really good for kids who like Harry Potter and don't mind the dark quality," said Rosie Camargo, a sales rep at The Magic Tree Bookstore in Oak Park, specializing in children's books.  "I'm so happy he won.  They usually pick something more sentimental-a coming-of-age story, or there's a moral. This one revolves around a boy who's an orphan, and the spirits at a graveyard take care of him."

Learn more, by clicking here.

Enjoy the weekend . . . responsibly!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO