Ald. Moreno and the Active Transportation Alliance will be co-hosting the gathering, which takes place at 6:30PM, at The Fifty/50, 2047 W. Division (lower level). Topic of discussion: The future of biking in the first ward.

Open Streets, bikeways and better transit options will be covered. Anyone want to cover this for the pipeline? Email us through the ‘Contact Us’ page.

Pictured is Martha Williams of the Bike Fancy blog.

Douglas is a violent sex offender who’d failed to add himself to the sex offender registry. A tattoo is visible on his neck.  Read more in the Sun-Times story.

Becca, a Pint bartender

Per a press release, “Attendees will sample custom cocktails created by mix-masters from Wicker Park & Bucktown establishments – including Club Lucky, Pint, Subterranean, The Boundary and Wicker Park Tavern — and vote on which custom cocktail best represents the vibrant neighborhood. Admission to the event includes hors d’oeuvres and complimentary cocktails. Proceeds from the event will benefit The WPB Chamber, which serves to strengthen local businesses and the Wicker Park Bucktown community as a whole.”

The Mash Up goes down Thursday, March 8 from 6-9pm at Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave. Buy tickets (which include a free one year subscription to Time Out Chicago) HERE.

About Event Host Jackson Junge Gallery:

Jackson Junge's opening day, 2009 (yes, Pipeline was there!)

Host venue, Jackson Junge Gallery adds to the growing arts community in Chicago’s Wicker Park / Bucktown neighborhood. Co-owned by Chicago artist Laura Lee Junge and partner Chris Jackson, the gallery provides an exclusive local venue for Junge’s paintings and other works. Combining all the services associated with an art gallery presented in an innovative artistic environment, The Jackson Junge Gallery also provides a full range of custom framing services on site. For more information, visit the gallery’s website.

About Drink Deck:

Drink Deck, pipeline file photo Nov. 2010

Drink Deck is a clever deck of playing cards and smart phone app, which combines savings, urban exploration and great recommendations for food, drink and entertainment. An indie travel & discount guide for bar enthusiasts and foodies, presenting a curated list that highlights 52 great bar scenes in America’s top destinations for food, drink & entertainment. A collection of gift cards (with no expiration) in the form of a playing card deck or smart phone app featuring the best bar scenes in: Chicago, Illinois; Portland, Oregon OR New Orleans, Louisiana. For more information visit,or @DrinkDeckChi on twitter.

We started our tasting tour today at Oak Mill Bakery, located 2204 W North Ave. in Bucktown. Even though it was far past breakfast time, the place was packed with shoppers, most of whom were in line to try some of Oak Mill’s nearly dozen different flavors of Paczek. With selections ranging from classic prune, raspberry, lemon, apricot, etc., to fresh fruit, whipped cream and cream cheese filled delicacies, Oak Mill was sure to have a flavor to satisfy nearly any craving. We went with one raspberry and one apricot. Both were glazed (not a personal preference for doughnuts of any variety, but not all that distracting either) and bursting with sweet, tangy jelly which was encased in a light, flaky dough. Prices for individual Paczki range from $1.49 for jelly filled to $1.99 for their gourmet fresh fruit and cream filled options. But these are hearty doughnuts and two of any variety will be more than satisfying.

Next up was Alliance Bakery & Cafe at 1736 W Division in Wicker Park. Situated on a once mostly Polish stretch of Division St., Alliance now sits amidst countless over-priced and hipster-pleasing bars and restaurants and unfortunately Alliance itself has fallen victim to hipster influences, being staffed almost entirely be ironic over-sized glasses and top-hat (complete with a feather) wearing former suburbanites. Nevertheless, today Alliance returned to its roots by offering a wide range of pazcki flavors, nearly all fruit jelly based, and many combining multiple flavors in one doughnut. We went with an apricot-orange combo. The dough was similar to that made at Oak Mill but was dusted with powdered sugar instead of glaze (powdered sugar is the traditional topping). The flavor of the orange marmalade completely overwhelmed the apricot but for those looking for a more unexpected collection of flavor fusions, Alliance could be your place. All Paczki are priced the same at $2.25 each.

A short walk down the street took us to our next spot, Podhalanka Restaurant at 1549 W. Division. This traditional Polish eatery has been serving delicious comfort food for decades and today anyone who purchases a dinner receives a Paczek for free, per this post. Otherwise, you can buy them individually for $1. The selections here range from classic jelly filled (and powdered) to chocolate glaze covered. The paczki are sweet, simple and make a perfect finishing touch to any bountiful dinner or bowl of delicious homemade soup (try the Zurek, if you haven’t already) that Podhalanka has to offer.

Our final stop took us to Avondale and to one of Chicago’s most popular Polish restaurants: The Red Apple Buffet at 3121 N Milwaukee Ave. Offering dozens of entree and side options daily in their gigantic all-you-can-eat buffet, the plate of Paczki located in their dessert corner was thoroughly dwarfed by the tantalizing dishes which surrounded them. All filled with raspberry jelly and sprinkled with powdered sugar, the Paczki at Red Apple are about as traditional as you can get. We were lucky enough to try a batch that had come right out of the oven and the sweet dough literally melted as it was eaten. You can indulge in as many as you’d like if you purchase the buffet or buy them individually for $.99.

-L.J.

Dear Aldermen and Community Members,
Recently the news media has reported on a series of incidents which have occurred in the 14th District. These incidents are strong arm robberies – a victim’s property is taken by an unarmed offender who uses force. As of February 15th, a total of 13 related incidents have occurred. These incidents have occurred since December 1, 2011, within the area of Ashland – Central Park and Division – Diversey. The 14th District, in conjunction with the Area 5 Bureau of Detectives, is working diligently to apprehend those responsible for these crimes.
About The Incidents
On January 4, 2012, the 14th District and Area 5 Bureau of Detectives issued a Community Alert regarding these incidents. An additional Community Alert, with an updated description of the offenders, was issued January 31, 2012.
In these incidents, the offender approached the victim from behind and took their purse/bag, money and cell phone. Generally, the victims were White females; however an Asian woman and African-American woman also were targeted. The victims’ ages range from 24–76 years old. The physical descriptions of the offenders provided by the victims have varied widely, adding to the difficulty in identifying any one offender.

photo source: http://tinyurl.com/7fbsr5v

The offenders have been variously described as African-American males, from 18–39 years old, 5’08″–6’06″, 150–180 lbs. In three of the incidents, the offender is described as having a “dreadlock” hairstyle of varying length. In one of the incidents, a white 1990 Cadillac 4-door Sedan Deville was used by the offender as a getaway car, and was driven by another African- American male.
14th District Crime Trends
Please note that despite the focus on these incidents, we have experienced a 36% reduction in strong arm robberies within this very area as compared to two years ago. Throughout the entirety of the 14th District, there has been a 14% reduction in strong arm robberies between 2009 and 2011.
We are grateful that the media has chosen to highlight these incidents and the Community Alert issued by the Chicago Police Department. This can only serve to raise awareness and help the community better protect itself and prevent further crimes. I have attached a copy of the latest Community Alert for your information and distribution.
I assure you that the Chicago Police Department is applying appropriate resources – both patrol and investigative – in our efforts to prevent additional crimes and to identify the offenders in these 13 incidents.
As always, we urge residents to take precaution when traveling in the late evening and early in the early morning hours. We encourage anyone with information about these incidents to contact CPD Area 5 Bureau of Detectives at 312-746-8362.

Commander Flores, far right

Sincerely,
Commander Linda Flores 14th District

Osacky reported to The Pipeline that he was happy to rent the auditorium for “a nominal cost” to the group.  Like most of the approx. 75 attendees in the predominately male crowd, Osacky said that he supports the right to conceal and carry firearms, for the purpose of “defending myself.”

Photo by Philin Phlash, March 1. 2011

When asked why he believes Illinois is the only state to not authorize conceal and carry, Osacky pointed to the ‘Chicago machine.’ Indeed, the last press conference that former Mayor Richard M. Daley attended as mayor was on the subject of gun control, or rather cracking down on illegal gun sales, and according to this WBEZ article,  Daley has criticized state legislation that would allow gun owners to conceal and carry their weapons. In related news, Mayor Rahm Emanual introduced a proposal earlier this month calling for statewide registration of all handguns along with a $65 fee per gun.

Valinda Rowe holds a comb…  one of two items she says Illinois State Police suggest women use to defend themselves if attacked. “If this [comb] is such an effective tool, why are they not in their holsters?” she asked.

Illinois Carry’s spokesperson Valinda Rowe said that what politicians fear most is “not getting re-elected.”

“What’s normal all across this nation is considered a felony in Illinois,” she said, encouraging attendees to visit their local politicians and make their feelings on the issue known. Rowe, who admitted she never was much of a fan of guns herself until she found herself fearing for her own life and at the mercy of  “a mentally ill relative,” said that “The goal of right to carry is to stay alive until help arrives.”

With numerous veterans in the crowd, the evening seemed to take a tone of “police are doing their job, but they can’t be everywhere all the time” vibe.

Joining Illinois Carry in hosting the approx. two hour long gathering were representatives from the Illinois State Rifle Association, Second Amendment Sisters, and the Chicago Firearm Safety Association. A panel of speakers, like Radie, left, featured in this CBS Local story, shared their personal stories related to conceal and carry.

Steve Jensen, a longtime resident of Bucktown, and familiar face among the community organization circuit, expressed that he too supports the right to conceal and carry arms.

“There are criminals, there are law enforcement, and there are law-abiding citizens,” Jensen said. “Two of those three groups have access to guns.”

Four years ago, Jensen used a rifle “as a prop,” long enough to keep an intruder on his back porch under control until the authorities arrived and made an arrest. “I’m pro conceal and carry because I’m a fan of deterrents. Big fences. Big dogs. Big guns,” Jensen said.

-by Alisa Hauser

“In the large Polish community of Chicago, and other large cities across the Midwest, Pączki Day is celebrated annually by immigrants and locals alike,” per this Wikipedia post, which continues, “Chicago celebrates the festival on both Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday, due to its sizable Polish population. Chicagoans also often eat paczki on Casimir Pulaski Day.”

Dioramas at St. Mary's school, Feb. 2011

As our next pipeline weekly e-newsletter isn’t scheduled until Wednesday (sign up here), we’re going to list a few places to find paczki, below, as well as wish area Poles and Catholics a Happy Holiday and productive Lent fasting season.

Oak Mill Bakery, 2204 W. North Avenue, always has a sign for paczkis in its window. Oak Mill is closed on Mondays but will likely reopen earlier than usual tomorrow for paczki pickups.

Podhalanka, 1549 W. Division, a few doors north of Chopin Theatre, will be serving free paczkis all day tomorrow, with the purchase of any complete dinner meal, per a worker who answered the phone when The Pipeline called. Individual paczkis will be available for $1 each.

Avondale is only a 15 minute bus ride on the Milwaukee Ave. bus, and there you’ll find a little slice of home-cooked-heaven at 3121 N. Milwaukee. The Red Apple Polish Buffet is even the favorite place for Sobibor survivor Thomas Blatt to eat at whenever he’s in town.  We reached owner, Ania, by text message, who reported that The Red Apple will be selling $0.99 Paczkis all day long, individually and by the dozen.

Also happening tomorrow:

Tues. Feb. 21

9AM: (Online) Registration for Chicago Park District‘s Spring Programming Begins; advanced account creation is required, per Holstein Happenings.    

6-8PM: Chamber Business Networking (Blue Line Lounge and Grill)  

7-8:30PM: Community: BCO Candidate Forum (American Legion Hall, FDR Post)

For our part, at least one of the Pipeline’s team members will be celebrating the holiday tomorrow night in Elena Chicago’s 8-week Beginners Spanish Class. Due to popular demand, Elena is now recruiting for a new Monday class to begin on Feb. 27, 2012.  Elena graciously bartered our tuition in exchange for our participation in the class (which seemed like a good idea at the time, until we realized it kind of put a crimp on our rather intense Tuesday night e-newsletter deadline night! Nevertheless, I am having a blast and it’s been nice to meet many new people as a result of the class. Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone!)

Read more about Elena’s impressive teaching background here, and call her at 773-750-9960 if you’d like to become a student, too. Here’s a fun video shot in class the week before last.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The market takes place from 10AM-2PM in the lobby of the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee, every  Sunday, through March 25th, 2012.

Featured this week: Community-supported Agriculture (CSA) shares from both Majestic Nursery and Iron Creek Farms.

Randy of Majestic Nursery

Farmers Randy and Gayle of Majestic Nursery are offering 5% off all 2012 CSA orders places before February 29. CSA members receive a portion of Majestic’s freshly harvested, rinsed, crated, and ready for pick up shares. Check out the details here or call 630-553-9924 since Majestic won’t be at the Market this Sunday.

Get the details for Iron Creek’s CSA and sign up here.

Read more about what’s happening in the 1st Ward in Alderman Moreno’s latest e-newsletter.

Curbside Splendor will be at the Commercial Table. The independent online and print publisher offers a pop-up bookstore featuring books, journals, and magazines by local presses. Here’s a photo we shot of Giron at at a market last winter… or was it the one before. Anyhoo, we’re pretty confidant it’s Giron!

List of vendors, below, culled from the most recent market newsletter, where we were also saddened to hear about the passing of John Pennycuff.

Though the Pipeline needs to do an alarming amount of laundry today, we’ll be trekking past the Congress with our trusty cart en route to Bubbleland, a regular routine since the unfortunate closing of Spin Cycle, and thus we will drop off a few more copies of the Celebrate! magazine, featuring over 100 local businesses, so look for your free copy of Celebrate! at the welcome table, and support these hardworking farmers if you can.

Farmers/Producers

• JAKES COUNTRY MEATS
• Pork, Bacon, Fish
• LYONS FRUIT MARKET
• Fruits, vegetables and cider
• MINT CREEK FARM
• Meats, Pasture Raised Lamb (Organic)**
• **Some, not all, products OCIA Certified
• OTTER CREEK ORGANIC FARMS
• Meats + Cheddar Cheese (Organic)
• OCIA International Organic Cert.
• RIVER VALLEY RANCH 
• Mushrooms, Onions, Sauces
• ROEDGER BROS. BLUEBERRIES -
• Frozen Michigan Blueberries
• TINY GREENS ORGANIC FARMS
• wheatgrass and micro greens (Organic)
• Global Organic Alliance Certified Organic

 Processed Foods

• BOT BAKERY
• Vegan + Gluten-Free Baked Goods
• Hot Chocolate + waffles
• CO-OP SAUCE
• Pepper Sauces for Everyone’s Taste
• COOK AU VIN
• French breads and pastries
• CRUMB
• Clay pot baked bread
• PRAIRIE PURE CHEESE
• Fresh, Local Cheese
• Grilled Cheese
• KATHERINE ANNE CONFECIONS
• Handmade truffles and caramels
• LUDWIG CREAMERY
• European-style raw milk cheeses from Illinois
• MAMA’S NUTS
• handmade, nut-based confections
• SCRUMPTIOUS PANTRY
• Local vegetables, pickled & sauced
• SENTEAMENTAL MOODS
• Custom blended teas
• STAMPER CHEESE CO
• Specialty, Artisanal Wisconsin Cheeses
• UPTOWN SODA BREAD
• Delicious and unusual soda breads

 Prepared Food 

• PUFFS OF DOOM
• Sweet and Savory Cream Puffs
• Fresh Brewed Coffee
• SPENCER’S JOLLY POSH FOODS
• Locally made English-style Sausages
• Bacon and Grilled Sausage Sandwiches

Other 

• SHARPENING BY DAVE
• Professional Knife and Tool Sharpening
• Tempel Farms Eggs and Honey

Did we miss your event? Add it as a comment.

9AM-1PM: Day of the Dance, Logan Square Auditorium, 2359 N. Kedzie Ave.

Happening NOW at 2359 N. Kedzie, and sponsored in part by The Kids Table, you can bring your friends and family to take part in dance and movement classes shared from around the world, learn simple ways to stay healthy, enjoy music, participate in health screenings and be inspired to change your life! “The Biggest Loser” contestants Jerry and Estella Hayes will make an appearance and there’s dance instruction and performances by Chicago Dance as well as fitness instruction for children.
FREE health screenings at Day of the Dance include: Heart health and stroke risk, Bone and joints (Dexascan screening – used to measure bone density to diagnose osteoporosis, Orthopedic health), Back and foot (Foot plate analysis – used to assess the way you walk or run to highlight issues with your gait, feet, or joints, and Spine health Weight management. You can also find out your BMI and waist circumference screening- used to determine if you are under- or overweight, and may help determine if you are at risk for serious disease. Plus, walk away with a weight management profile, too.

10AM-5PM: Free Planting Workshops at Kids Rule, 1534 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Kids choose an indoor plant and use organic soil and coffee grounds to plant it in a recycled container. Learn how plants clean the air you breathe indoors. Kids can decorate their recycled pots and take their plant home. You bring your kids. We’ll bring the plants, the pots and the organic soil. Recycled containers donated by: Francesca’s Forno, Caribou Coffee, Native Foods. See more February events at Kids Rule HERE.

2-5PM: Free Wine Tasting with Jeremy Quinn at Red & White Whine Shop, 1861 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Thanks to those who responded to the Anonymous Pipeline Reader Survey (there’s still time, take the survey HERE). Many of you said that you wanted news on more sales.

Per this ‘extra, extra’ email, riley near Damen and Wabansia is offering an additional 20% off of select items.

G-STAR RAW at 1525 N. Milwaukee Avenue is hosting its President’s Day Weekend Sale, from now through Monday Feb 20th. You can receive 10% off all jeans. It’s also the Final Weekend for Winter coat sale -savings up to 50% off. No price adjustments.

Decibel Audio’s massive floor sample sale continues at 1429 N. Milwaukee, as does the Floor Sample Sale on select pieces at Lubinksi Furniture, 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Need flowers or candles or a wind chime? Want to show your support of Asrai Garden, which recently celebrated 12 years in the neighborhood? Stop by 1935 W. North Avenue. Per this Our Urban Times post, Asrai is expected to reopen this morning after being closed due to the robbery earlier this week. Pictured is a bouquet snapped at Asrai a few years back. Please support Asrai, especially since it lost business after being closed for a few days.

Looking for ways to defend yourself? The Guardian Angels are hosting a free 2-hour self defense class this evening from 6-8PM, 2142 N. Milwaukee, at the Champions Tae Kwon Do Institute across from the Congress Theater. Call 312-217-7245 to reserve your spot.

Walking to the Self Defense Class? Gran Discover Clothing at 2044 N. Milwaukee, was a former sponsor of the Pipeline’s “Tidbits” section. We’ve always considered the store to be somewhat of a best kept secret when it comes to finding name brands like NORTH FACE.  For all the Dickies-loving hipsters, there’s piles and piles of Dickies, too, you just have to dig a bit and spend some time there. Gran Discover’s friendly owner, T. will sell the Dickies for $15 (vs. $19.99) with mention of ‘pipeline,’ so tell him you heard about him from here if you go, and check out his next door neighbor, the Rebel Rebel Roller Derby Skate Shop, too, at 2048 N. Milwaukee.

The ordinance, which is intended to collect past-due fines, tickets and city judgments from scofflaws, swept through the City Council on Wednesday with a 31-8 vote. However, due to the broad wording of the plan, anyone owing the city a debt since 2005 may notice a smaller state tax return this year.

“It goes into effect immediately,” said Kathleen Strand, economic council for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “There is no future start date.”

1st Ward Ald. 'Proco' Joe Moreno

First Ward Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno voted no on the measure, owing in-part to its vagueness. Leading up to the vote, Moreno unsuccessfully lobbied Budget Committee Chairman Carrie Austin to craft the ordinance so the city couldn’t collect unpaid water bills, according to Matthew Bailey, Moreno’s director of legislative affairs and communications.

“Parking tickets are one thing – these people broke a rule,” Bailey said. “However, seniors – and others – who literally cannot pay their bills come to his Ward Night, nearly every single week. He wanted this piece of the legislation taken out, or at least, further discussed and amended. It wasn’t, so he voted no.”

For now, the mayor’s office does not plan to collect unpaid utility bills from tax returns, although the ordinance technically enables it to do so.

“It won’t affect seniors, or others, who are behind on their water bills,” Strand said.

But this assurance isn’t enough to resolve Moreno’s concerns.

“We’re glad to hear that, but we still object to anything that will allow the city to recoup unpaid bills,” Bailey said.

Some constituents backed Moreno’s vote against the ordinance, citing concerns it will place an unfair burden on those who are already marginalized the most and rely upon their tax returns from essentials.

shoes from store B

“Once again, it’s something that preys on the have-nots,” said David Ginople, owner of the Wicker Park business, Store B Vintage. “In many instances, these people need [their tax returns] for food, money, medicine and personal care. What I’d like to see is everyone being more lenient, and that’s not the tone of this ordinance.”

After the bill easily cleared the Council on Wednesday, Mayor Emanuel addressed the chamber, striking a familiar reformist tone and positioning the issue as both a moral and economic one.

“The system cannot be created around allowing a permissible amount of cheating,” he said. “It becomes epidemic.”

Emanuel noted that his budget did not include raises to property, sales or gas taxes.

“What we agreed to, what was in fact called for by a number of the city council, was cracking down on the deadbeats and delinquents,” he said.

The mayor said he has held true to this promise, collecting more than $7 million owed to Chicago taxpayers from banks, utilities and city employees. Emanuel expects to bring an additional $8 to 20 million over the next two years by targeting citizens who owe the city money.

2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti, photo by Philin Phlash

Second Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti led the Council opposition on Wednesday, also owing to the ordinance’s broad scope. His concern was primarily with the city’s intention to go after debt owed as the result of administrative hearings, claiming that the city’s process is so flawed that it resulted in a class action lawsuit two years ago.

“Guess what? We have a kangaroo court over here,” Fioretti said on the council floor. “We find everyone guilty, and we move on.”

This strikes a particular nerve for many when it comes to such things as parking tickets.

“I kind of feel like this city is on a ‘let’s raise money any way we can kick,’” Ginople said. “They’re like vigilantes. They’re out here every day to collect $50-$70 for every minor parking infraction.”

Residents who owe the city money may contest their individual case to the state. As of now, it is unclear who people should contact.

“There is a process for appeal or challenges that runs through the state,” Strand said.

However, she was unsure of what agency will handle those appeals, or who should be contacted.

For now, Strand recommends residents with delinquent debts contact the city through its website and arrange a payment plan, as individuals on those plans will not have their tax returns garnished.

-By Nick Przybyciel

Nick Przybyciel, second from left in photo, is a Master of Science in Journalism candidate at Northwestern University’s Medill School. Prior to moving to Chicago for grad school, Nick lived in Seattle, where he managed the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneering Ideas blog and represented the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a public relations specialist.