We’re aware of the issues many are experiencing with the slow speed of the site.  Work is currently being done to our servers to improve the overall speed of the website.

We appreciate our loyal readers and hope you’ll bear with us!

Yesterday's fire at 5747 N Sheridan, thankfully no one was hurt. Credit: AmrakSpells..'s (Flickr)

You can follow the Buzz in lots of ways, not just on our website.

Check out our varied social networking groups—Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and our weekly email update.

We’ve discovered that a lot of folks like to get their news pushed to them – meaning you want to save a trip to this here website. So, when you choose to follow Facebook, Twitter or our email update, then you get your local news sent to you automagically.

And, if you haven’t noticed already, our Flickr group features great neighborhood photos from readers like you. You should join – and contribute some of your best photos!

Show us your love (or, your “like”)!

Cost for the tour is $4 adults, $3 seniors and students, and Museum members are free. Space is limited, and reservations are recommended. Please call 773-728-8111 or e-mail Museum@samac.org to reserve your spot.

Smoke rising above the Edgewater skyline, as seen from Wrigley Field this afternoon. Credit: Danny Tag

We’ve received multiple reports of a substantial fire at a townhouse in the 5700 block of  N. Sheridan Rd. If anyone has further details, please email us or leave them in the “comments,” where there are additional pics and video streaming in….

Korean noodles @ Jin Ju. Credit: Jeremy Bressman

Andersonville was jumping Wednesday evening as hordes of people were walking the streets with their “Salt” or “Pepper” route maps scouting their next destination for the Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl.  Organized by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, the dinner crawl featured neighborhood restaurants who welcomed passport-holding crawlers with a taste portion of one of their dishes. 

Mother Nature played nice, and despite what looked to originally have a threat of rain the evening was a beautiful one to stroll around the neighborhood.  The event began and ended at the Swedish American Museum (5211 N Clark), where passports were handed out and then collected again to be entered into a raffle when participants returned for a cookie from the Swedish Bakery (5348 N Clark).  We ventured down the Pepper Route and not a single destination disappointed.  Our bellies were treated to everything from a moist, well seasoned chicken chop at Konak (5150 N Clark), a glass noodle dish at Jin Ju (5203 N Clark), pizza at Ranalli’s (1512 N Clark) and an amazing burger at Big Jones (5347 N Clark). Rather than grab and go or dine and dash we enjoyed our time at the majority of the dining destinations with an adult beverage to accompany our cuisine.  All in all it was a great experience to explore a new restaurant you’ve never yet dined at, or try a new dish at one of your neighborhood favorites.  If you missed it, we highly recommend you check out the Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl next year – we know we’ll be back!

Burke's Public House. Credit: Jeremy Bressman

Burke’s Public House (5401 N Broadway) last week rolled out the following new enticing weekday specials:

Monday: Half-off appetizers

Tuesday: $2 Miller-Lite drafts

Wednesday: $6 Stoli martini’s (all flavors)

Thursday:  $4 all draft beers & well drinks

Chicago from space, August 15. Credit: Astronaut Ron Garan via Twitpic.

The hours of the event are Saturday from 9am – 7pm and Sunday from 9am – 5pm.  Refreshments will be available for sale for both dogs and humans.

Credit: pgpcs.org

Last month we posted about the 4th Annual School Supply drive presented by State Representative Kelly Cassidy,  Senator Heather Steans and Alderman Harry Osterman, in partnership with Care for Real. The “Sponsor-a-student” drive is also working with other local non-profits to provide school supplies for children in Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Uptown. Last year the drive supplied over 200 students with new backpacks and school supplies! Donors will sign up to sponsor a student and will receive either an elementary school or high school bag. The bags, on average cost $75, but less expensive lists are available as well. Take a look at the detailed lists shown below.

If you’re interested in participating in the drive, which ends Friday, sign up here!

High School Supply List

Elementary School Supply List

Clark Street, Andersonville. Credit: Wikipedia.org

As summer 2011 begins to wind down, Metromix has released its list of Top Chicago Bars and Restaurants by Neighborhood. Each selection was chosen by category, with quite a few of the usual suspects included. Several of the categories are unique, however, including the best “bar for a drink with your dog” and best “burgers with a side of kitsch.” Check out the list and see if you agree!

Sand Castle. Credit: Jeremy Bressman

The Edgewater Community Council hosted its first annual Sandcastle Open this past weekend at Osterman Beach.  The day began with a welcome and sand castle building demonstration from “Big Wave Dave” and “Sara Sunshine.”  Teams were given a roped off area of beach, a castle building kit of buckets and utensils, and about two hours to complete their masterpieces.  A good time was had by all, but unfortunately the event was interrupted by mother nature causing some chaos when the gusty rainy storm moved in around 1:45pm.  The winning “castle” was the Edgewater Historical Society team’s re-creation of the original Edgewater Beach Hotel. Check out the photo gallery capturing all the fun.

Our lucky winner, ready for the dinner crawl! Credit: Amanda Ball

Congrats to Amanda Ball, the winner in our Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl tickets contest!  Amanda and a guest will get to enjoy tomorrow’s event courtesy of the Edgeville Buzz and the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.  We asked Amanda to tell us a little about herself and why she loves our neighborhood:

My roommate, Anna, and I moved to Edgewater from the southside in December after falling in love with the Clark Street strip of Andersonville last summer. The sidewalk sale alone sold me on the area. I love the community feel of the neighborhood and how supportive the local businesses are of each other. My favorite day in Andersonville involves picking up a book from Women and Children First, getting coffee from Kopi Cafe and reading on the sidewalk benches before grabbing dinner at one of the great restaurants on Clark.

Tickets are still available for the Dinner Crawl, if you have an interest in purchasing them, click here.

 The movie will be shown in the Alamo Shoes parking lot (Clark & Summerdale) begining around 8:30pm.

Christina Santiago. Credit: Indy Star

Two Edgewater women, partners, were victims in this past weekend’s fatally tragic stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis.  Christina Santiago, 29, was one of five people killed when a gust of wind toppled a stage and her partner Alisha Marie Brennon was seriously hurt.  They were one of the first couples to obtain a civil union in Illinois and Santiago was a community activist who had worked dilligently to expand Howard Brown Health Centers’ women’s services.  Brennon is expected to make a slow but full recovery. 

Chicago woman among 5 killed in Indiana State Fair stage collapse [Chicago Sun-Times]