As one of our local businesses in the Six Corners, reach a milestone of 33 years, Congratulations Villa Roma Salon and Spa, I think its time we recognize those businesses that work hard for our community.

If you haven't visited and met Vince and Mike, maybe this is a great time to introduce yourself for the first time to a venerable business that has been a supporter of this community for decades. 3936 North Cicero Avenue  Chicago, IL 60641  (773) 283-0600

Check out their bio on our Health/ Beauty/ Fitness page as well as a great offer for a shampoo, haircut, and facial.

I’m not even going to try.  I took this shot (and some other really mediocre ones) knowing that we had to put something in that space.  It is kind of pretty and all, but its days are numbered.  Starting Monday our page will feature photos taken by you!  We will change them up every Monday morning – keeping the site fresh and giving us a chance to share different perspectives on life in Portage Park.

Here’s the plan:

Photos must be taken in Portage Park.

Subject matter is completely up to you.  Great shot of people spilling out of the Portage Theater?  Kids playing ball in the park?  Something magnificent growing in your backyard?  All good!  We do ask that if your photo features someone’s face that you ask permission for us to use it – but let’s keep that to a minimum.  We will never “tag” or identify anybody by name on Facebook .

Submitted photos must include where they were taken and the date.  I’d actually like to credit the photographer, so if that’s ok with you – let me know how you want to be identified.  Full name, initials…whatever you wish.

Images should be horizontal due to Facebook constraints.  It is almost certain they will be cropped randomly by Facebook (sorry), but I will always try to get the most aesthetically pleasing result.

Send photos to joant63@gmail.com.

With your help, I think this could turn out to be a really cool feature!

Joan Tunney 

What theater am I referring to? Why the Portage Theater of course.

That's right folks this happened once before and the community living here at the time didn't do enough to protect the theater from harm. I won't go so far as to say that the closure of the Portage the first time led to the destruction of the Six Corners commercial corridor, but I will say isn't interesting that since the lights were turned back on, the pale shadow cast overhead started to look more like a cloud with a silver lining.

At its core the closure of the Portage is an economic issue for this community that cannot be ignored. The closure will result in a loss of tax base while disrupting the Special Service Area and Tax Increment Financing district. The $25 million dollars spent trying to recreate and restart this economic corridor will have been wasted. In fact all of this takes place as the city is paying a steering committee to determine what are the next steps to improve the Six Corners. Perhaps the next time the community wants to use some TIF funds for improving the park they won't be there. The Six Corners is the largest commercial corridor outside of the Loop, it can be what propels this community or what holds it back.

If, however, you are just frustrated at the loss of this icon of the Portage Park neighborhood, beacon to outsiders to visit Portage Park, or frustrated you might not be able to attend the Silent Film Festival or Horror night, I challenge you to make you voice heard.

Tomorrow evening, Monday March 26, 2012, in conjunction with Six Corners Association, Old Irving Park Association, the Portage Park Neighborhood Association will offer the latest facts on the church's attempt to get a special use permit which would end the Portage Theater as we know it. We will instruct you how to make your voice heard.

In the meantime, click on the image and sign up so we can send you updates and reminders!

Thats right if your if your crunched for time just do a little homework and bring a cheat sheet as it were. Go to http://www.evoter.com

Type in your home adrdress and fill out and exact replica of the ballot you will receive at the polling place. 

Not sure where the poll is no worries it tells you where your poll is located. 

Here's an opportunity to help!

Liberty Tax Service will discount their tax preparation fees by 50% to those who donate a non-perishable food item to the Irving Park Community Food Pantry.  This offer is redeemable at the following locations until March 31, 2012.

Liberty Tax Service

4900 W. Irving Park Road  773.286.6900

5905 W. Irving Park Road  773.427.9999From L to R: Mike Barrett (President/Owner LTS), Dan Harkensee (Director of Marketing LTS), John Psiharis (Executive DIrector IPCFP)

This Saturday, Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse is presenting 3 workshops on organic gardening and offering for purchase gently used gardening tools as part of their second annual Garden Exchange Event fundraiser.

Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse

March 11, 2012

1-4pm

Lots of interesting information at the link:

Let's Start Growing Workshop Series

The Sun-Times list of 175 great things about Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune list of important histroy shaping events year by year for the 175 years.

Roving food trucks change up their meus all the time, but here are some links to give you an idea of what to expect tonight...

6-7pm

http://thesouthernmac.com/

http://www.5411empanadas.com/menu.html

http://thewagyuwagon.com/index2.php#/home/

http://www.facebook.com/GiGisBakeShop

7:30...until they run out of food

http://www.ducknrolltruck.com/category/menu/

http://www.taquerofusion.com/Mobile_Menu.htm

Live music makes this even more special...the band gets excellent local reviews:

http://www.bigdogmercer.com/fr_home.cfm