Lincoln Square, North Center, Irving Park

If it was brunch in Lincoln Square, you could count on eager diners waiting for one of the few tables at Dutch Pancake Huis. The owners quietly shut it down after 15 years.

The event is noon-5 p.m. Sunday and organized by the North Center Neighbors Association. 

The "chill hangout" will offer neighbors a place to grab beers and a bite to eat, "and the kids can run around," the brewery's owner said.

The property includes the masonry and concrete church building, rectory, former school building and a parking lot. The parish closed in 2021, and the school shut down in 2005.

The street improvements have long been planned, but they have taken on renewed urgency after a string of crashes where drivers killed or hurt pedestrians, an alderperson said.

"With all the people who have been in accidents over the past month, especially on the North Side, we need to do the right thing and keep our neighbors safe,” Ald. Andre Vasquez said.

Speed camera fines disproportionally impact Black and Brown motorists, supporters of the ordinance said. Others say rolling back fines after 3 kids were killed by cars is a bad idea.

Leslie Westerberg of Nixon Elementary and Nora Wiltse of Coonley Elementary are devastated their jobs were eliminated and worry their schools' libraries will sit empty next school year.

Neighbors can share their ideas on how to make the city's streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists in honor of Raphael "Rafi" Cardenas, who was killed by a driver.

Owners Won Jang and Joy Kwak operated Wajo out of suburban Wheeling for 10 years before opening a second location in Lincoln Square.

The free Saturday festival is an opportunity for neighbors to learn more about sustainable living and become more involved in environmental advocacy to address the climate emergency, Ald. Matt Martin said.

Peter Paquette, 75, died hours after about 300 people marched on the North Side to demand better city infrastructure to protect bicyclists and pedestrians.

After Raphael "Rafi" Cardenas and Elizabeth "Lily" Grace Shambrook were killed, organizers said the city must crack down on unsafe driving, improve enforcement of traffic laws and boost the city's biking network.

This year's festival will feature 14 special tappings from area breweries, live music and games like giant Jenga.

Proceeds from the run will go to improvements at the parks along the trail, organizers said.

The neighborhood’s Golden Nugget, once a 24-hour spot, closed Sunday after struggling with slower sales and finding workers.

Andre Gonzalez, 35, was charged with armed robbery in connection with three machete attacks in the Avondale area. A remaining seven attacks are still under investigation.

Elite Sports Cards & Comics' owner said rookie cards of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle were stolen in an early morning heist caught on video.

The Horner Park Advisory Council is organizing free performances from local groups through Sept. 9 at three neighborhood parks.