BBQ with Boo

WRBNeighbor and chef Patrick Williams is featured in a recent issue of Edible Chicago. You can read all about him and his Grampa Boo (in photo) who inspired Patrick's delicious BBQ sauce. Patrick, we salute you and your grandfather on the eve of the barbecuing-est holiday of the year!

Signed, sealed, delivered

We're happy to report that both the Rogers Park Manor AND Talman West Ridge National Register Historic Districts are now complete with with signs. Check them out as you stroll around the neighborhood.

The yin and yang of West Ridge

Last week I went out with a friend to photograph & document graffiti in the neighborhood for a project she's been working on. We found plenty of spray paint as well as some very sad looking foreclosures (see my Good, Bad & Ugly blog for those images). Throughout the afternoon though, I also came across plenty of lovely homes and gardens -- this one is in the 2400 block of Fitch, just north of Indian Boundary Park.

Spring in West Ridge

Upcoming May & June Events

May 16
Great Chicago Places and Spaces FREE architectural tours, including a tour of Devon Avenue, and a Bungalows by Bus tour of one of the National Register Bungalow Historic Districts
www.greatchicagoplaces.us

May 16
Wright Plus 2009 housewalk in Oak Park is sold out

May 16 - 17
Green Festival Chicago at Navy Pier, featuring green vendors, speakers, and more
http://www.greenfestivals.org/chicago/

May 31
Arts and Crafts Chicago 4th Annual Antique and Contemporary Sale in River Forest, including new work by WRBNeighbor Frank Glapa
www.artsandcraftschicago.com

June 7 (5:00 p.m.) and June 14 (7:00 p.m.)
WRBNeighbor Johanna Nauraine sings at Davenport's Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Call 773 278-1830 for reservations and info.

June 18 evening
Northtown Garden Society Spring Garden Walk, in and around the Talman West Ridge Historic Bungalow District. Contact Ginny Davis gdavis2431@sbcglobal.net for info.

We're trying to reschedule our Window Restoration meeting at Alison's, and it might happen in June.

We've searched for info. on the Berwyn Bungalow tour, but have found nothing to indicate that there will be one in 2009. Please inform us if you know something we don't.

Jo and Maribeth
WRBN Co-Chairs

Rock On!

Looking a lot like a Gabion basket wall, a creative fence design in progress in a bungalow back yard on the 6700 block of N. Talman.

Mirror, mirror on the window (and the wall)

My co-worker Fran lives in a well-kept vintage apartment building a few blocks south of Devon.

She's getting married soon and moving into the vacant unit one floor down. I went to see her new place yesterday, and was pretty impressed with the bathroom. The entire room is covered in pink and black glass tile (known by the brand names of Vitrolite or Carrara) and mirrors. What you see in the photo is the window, which has had the glass replaced with mirrors and surrounded by a mirrored frame. The reflection is of the vanity mirror, surrounded by lights worthy of a movie house marquee. As I stood there taking it all in, I could feel my inner Jean Harlow emerging -- but the realization of needing to hit the road for my weekly trip to Aldi took care of that pretty quickly. Somthing tells me that even in the depths of the first Depression, Ms. Harlow wasn't bagging her own groceries.

(Also, check out this great set of Flick photos of vintage bathrooms)

Johanna at the Green Mill

WRBNeighbor Johanna Nauraine sent us this message today:

I just wanted to let you know that I'm one of the headliners in an upcoming jazz concert at the historic Green Mill next Saturday afternoon, April 4th at 12:30. You won't see this performance listed on the Green Mill calendar because we have special arrangements to perform there - negotiated by nationally known jazz singer, Spider Saloff who's been teaching our jazz class (this is our class performance).

If you have time to stop in and say hi and listen awhile, please do. If not - I have two solo shows coming up at Davenport's Piano Bar in June. Save the dates! June 7 at 5:00 p.m. and
June 14th at 7:00 p.m.

So, come on out and support Johanna in the wonderfully restored Prohibition-era decor of Uptown's Green Mill at 4802 N. Broadway Ave.

TWR National Historic District in the news

Read all about it in this Sun Times article, and many thanks to Bill Cunniff for a well-written story. Photo of the 6700 block of N. Talman from the Sun-Times.

Shady Rest

A pine-shaded stone bench in front of Park Gables, just north of Indian Boundary Park.