Wednesday, July 29, 2009

New Kids on the Block... and They Can Show You Around It, Too


New chamber member Carolyn Ridge*, owner, and founder of Rent Here Realty, pictured in today's masthead alongside two of her agents, might be new to the neighborhood, but she's no stranger to Wicker Park. Carolyn lived here in the 1990s, and in 1996 she met her husband at the long closed Mad Bar.

Carolyn began commuting to Wicker Park from her home in Park Ridge in March, where she lives with her husband, and their two children. Rent Here Realty, anecdotally known as one of the only female owned full service rental agencies in the city, operates out of an airy, second floor boutique style office at 1745 W. North, above The Ledge.

Though initially planning to grow conservatively, with three employees, Carolyn reports to Pipeline that the word got around that she was back in the business (she previously worked in the rental industry for seven years before taking a hiatus to join the title side of real estate operations). Her first mission? A large, well known listing agency solicited Carolyn's help- and the help of two competitors- to rent out nine luxury apartments. When all was said, and done-- or in this case, the leases signed--Carolyn, and her team were responsible for renting out eight of the nine properties.

On the afternoon that Pipeline stopped by, Carolyn was about to leave for a showing with one of her agents, and then to hire her eleventh employee. I guess nearly 1500 listings would be a lot of work for three people! Congratulations, Carolyn, and welcome back to the neighborhood. In regards to renting in general, it's no secret that it's a renter's market, a fact reinforced in a recent speech by President Obama, which put the phrase, "a nation of renters" into the limelight.

* profile originally appeared in The Pipeline eNewsletter, July 20th, 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009

St. Jude Fundraiser

Inside a Three Bedroom Penthouse






It's always fun to be a fly on the wall, or in this case, a visitor to a local condo that recently became available for rent, near Division, and Wood. The property is 2400 square feet, has high ceilings, and tons of natural light. For more information, please visit Carolyn at Rent Here Realty, or call 773-782-1000.

Inside the Greenheart Shop





In the interest of not making The Pipeline weekly newsletter a massively sized file, slow to load, I've begun hosting extra images, and information such as press releases here on Streets of Wicker. Following are a few pictures from Greenheart's Fair Trade Fiesta, held this past Thursday. Greenheart moved into the former Porte Rouge spot at 1911 W. Division.

Wicker Park Fest 2009




















Monday, July 20, 2009

Open House, August 1st, Children's Dentistry

Dr. Melissa Connell and her staff invite you to
join us for an open house
to celebrate the opening of
Children's Dentistry of Bucktown & Wicker Park
1611 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
312.281.4860
www.childrensdentistrybwp.com

Saturday, August 1
11am - 4pm

Refreshments and appetizers will be served.
All families welcome!!!

music, facepainting, storytime, and more!!
Goodie bags for the first 50 kids

Paulinapalooza

Press Release for Wicker Park Fest Kid's Events

For Immediate Release – July 17, 2009

CONTACT:
Julie Dickinson
Friends of Pritzker Volunteer
julia.dickinson@sbcglobal.net


WICKER PARK FEST KIDS, A WEEKEND OF FAMILY FUN, Presented by Wicker Park Bucktown SSA #33, July 25 and 26

Chicago, IL – Wicker Park Fest, an established neighborhood festival that attracted over 50,000 people in 2008, has partnered with Friends of Pritzker School to create Wicker Park Fest Kids. Wicker Park Fest Kids, July 25-26, 2009, will add a special family flavor to the Wicker Park Fest weekend. Joining the music, food and art vendors will be activities for the kids.
Just added to the fun, kids will have a chance to let their hair down and rock out with Psychobaby in the Rock 'n Roll Kids Tent at Wicker Park Fest Kids. July 25th and 26th from 12 - 6, the Psychobaby R 'n R Kids Tent will feature complimentary: Punk Rock Hair Styles! Create Your Own Band Tees! Custom Photo Shoots!
Plus boogie on down at the Beat Kitchen Kids’ Stage. The lineup has just been finalized with the addition of Little Miss Ann, Laura Doherty and Karen 4 Kids.

Kids can also enjoy face painting and temporary tattoos by Shorty’s Children’s Boutique and Metamorph Tattoo Studios, the Kid City Toddler Zone, a bounce house and petting zoo while the parents have fun with the city official dunk tank. Participating officials include Alderman Manny Flores, Alderman Scott Waguespack and State Representative Fritchey.

Proceeds from Wicker Park Fest Kids go to Friends of Pritzker School to improve A.N. Pritzker Elementary School, a public school in the heart of Wicker Park.

Wicker Park Fest is held on Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Wood Street. This year, the festival will be expanded South down Evergreen to host Wicker Park Fest Kids. The event is easily accessible by the Blue Line and just minutes from downtown Chicago. Hours for children’s programming are noon – 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and the gate donation of $5 gets you into Wicker Park Fest Kids. For more info, go to www.wickerparkbucktown.com or call the Chamber at 773.384.2672.

Friends of Pritzker School is a not-for-profit organization established by parents and community members to help the A.N. Pritzker School in improving enrollment, facilities and teaching and educational opportunities at the school. For more information about A.N. Priztker School, the Friends of Pritzker School organization, and donation and grant opportunities, please see, www.FriendsOfPritzker.org.

Beat Kitchen Kid’s Stage
Saturday, July 25th
12:00 Mary Macaroni
1:00 Lindsay Weinberg
2:00 Beazley Phillips
3:00 Jeremy Babcock of the Dream Tree Shakers
4:00 Bucktown Music School
5:00 Little Miss Ann

Sunday, July 26th
12:00 Mary Macaroni
1:00 Kids’ Yoga with Soulistic
2:00 Chang’s Martial Arts
3:00 Mad Science of Chicago
4:00 Laura Doherty
5:00 Karen 4 Kids

City Official Dunk Tank
Saturday, July 25th
12:00-2:00 Alderman Manny Flores
2:00-3:00 Representative John Fritchey
3:00-4:00 Pritzker Principal Dr. Reese
5:00-6:00 Dunk a ‘Friend’

Sunday, July 26th
1:00-2:00 Wicker Park/Bucktown Chamber director Paula Barrington
2:00-4:00 Alderman Scott Waguespack
5:00-6:00 Dunk a ‘Friend’

Monday, July 13, 2009