CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS - LINCOLN PARK, WEST LOOP, LAKEVIEW, NORWOOD PARK, NAPERVILLE
LINCOLN PARK
Who likes a free yoga class? Apparently more people are interested in yoga these day than was thought.
At Lululemon Athletica's free yoga class downtown on a recent Wednesday night-just minutes after it started - it was so crowded that yogis were spilling into a second room of the store.
This class is popular and you'd better show up on time, otherwise the doors may be closed and locked when the class has met capacity. Make sure even to show up early! Click here to learn more.
WEST LOOP
For Tracy Hendrixson, driving on North Lake Shore Drive is akin to playing the popular Mario Kart racing video game as she constantly jerks the wheel of her car to dodge pothole after pothole.
She even started a Facebook group dedicated to her scenic but treacherous commute.
State officials on Wednesday said relief is on the way. It was announced that $4.5 million has been earmarked to resurface the worst stretch of Lake Shore Drive this summer. The repair work, from Irving Park Road to Foster Avenue, is expected to begin in two to three months and then take five to six months to complete, officials said. Read more about it by clicking here.
LAKEVIEW
David Cieslak, a 34-year-old Chicago-based interior designer sketched, shopped, surfed, clipped, painted, drilled and offered constant advice throughout the 3 week-plus process of re-designing his client's living space. His most valuable service, however, was as a motivator and confidence booster for any challenging jobs ahead.
Cieslak's down-to-earth, get-your-hands-dirty sensibility fits right in with his employer's philosophy. Pret-a-Habiter customizes its services and fees according to the needs of the customer, rather than according to a certain look or a pre-set price range. "Sometimes people want to do everything new from the ground up, and sometimes they just want to know what to do with Grandma's couch," says Pret-a-Habiter founder and executive director Carl Bradford Stibolt.
Learn more about this Chicago talent by clicking here.
NORWOOD PARK
Before preparing to return to their classes April 2 following a Rachel's Challenge assembly, four Garvy School students talked about the impact the day's program had on them. They discussed whether they will take the positive, heartfelt message it brings to task.
Rachel's Challenge is named for Rachel Scott, the first of the 1999 victims at Columbine High School. It was started by her father to spread the compassion and kindness she had shared with others during her life.
Eighth graders Michelle Hammermeister, Serafina Niz and Alexia Tsaggaris, and seventh grader Nick Hodges said they hope that the enthusiasm they felt following the assembly will carry on well beyond that one day, and they and other students at Garvy, 5225 N. Oak Park Ave., will work to change the world around them. Read all about it by clicking here.
NAPERVILLE
The construction phase of the Huffman Street flood-control project in Naperville begins this week.
The project, part of Naperville's effort with DuPage County, was designed to ease flooding concerns in the Steeple Run watershed. It will require reconstructing street pavement, curbs and sidewalks along Huffman from north of Chicago Avenue to south of School Street.
In addition, gutters will be installed along Huffman. Non-emergency vehicle access to the street may be limited. The work is set to be completed by May 2009. Read all about it by clicking here.
JENNIFER GARRITY & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
