Bullet Hits Popular Coffee House in Rogers Park, Chicago

Common Cup - Chicago News Bench file photo

May 11, 2013 - An apparent drive-by shooting today has shaken up a quiet coffee shop on Chicago's far northeast side. Gunshots were fired around 12:30 p.m. today in the 1500 block of W. Morse Avenue in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood today. An excellent report at Chicago News Report says that "an investigating officer discovered a bullet hole in a window at 1501 West Morse." That's where Common Cup coffee house sits on the southwest corner of Morse and N. Greenview.

The CNR report noted that a woman was walking along Morse Avenue "when she heard gunshots behind her… when she turned around, a black sedan zoomed passed her, said authorities. Another eyewitness saw a silver car and two black males flee the area of the shooting. One male was limping… possibly, from an injury sustained in the shooting. The limping suspect was last seen going into a gangway near 1443 West Morse, said police."

An update to the CNR report said police were looking at an abandoned vehicle, in which they found shell casings. "Authorities believe the car was used in the Morse Avenue shooting," said CNR.

Also See:

• Common Cup Drive By Shooting Chevanston Rogers Park
• Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf Beverage Capsule Carousel (Google Affiliate Ad)

Puddle Gone, No Thanks

The Bench is happy to report that the huge puddle in the 1500 block of W. Morse Avenue is gone. No thanks to DevCorp, no thanks to SSA#24, no thanks to 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. No thanks to a ditch digging mechanics liens attorney.

After months of writing about it, The Bench had a conversation with a locally influential resident on the corner of Morse and Greenview. She made a single phone call on Monday, June 9. On Tuesday, June 10 Assistant Commissioner Thomas LaPorte of the Department of Water Management and several other DWM people came to inspect the befuddling puddle. Alderman Moore tagged along, simply observing and doing his best to stay out of the way of people who actually know what they're doing.

On Wednesday, June 11 the puddle was gone. The manhole and the drain beneath it had been cleaned out. Problem solved.

Let's review. That puddle was there since last fall. DevCorp people, SSA people, Joe Moore's people paid it no attention. The Bench, however, stayed on it. Finally, within a three-day span, the problem was resolved with a single conversation, a single phone call, a quick visit from DMW, and a fast-working crew.

No thanks to DevCorp, no thanks to SSA#24, no thanks to 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. No thanks to any ditch digging mechanics liens attorney.

Related:
Joe Moore's PuddleScape
No "Service" In Special Service Area #24

DEVCORP NORTH BEGGING FOR MONEY

Is DevCorp North having money troubles? The tip jar at Common Cup on Morse at Greenview is usually given to local charities and non-profits, often to the tune of $900 or so.

But why is the tip jar going to DevCorp North this month? Are they that short of cash that they now take tips from baristas in coffee shops???

Gale Academy Plant Sale Saturday, May 17

GALE ACADEMY GREENHOUSE HUGE SPRING PLANT SALE SATURDAY - MAY 17 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

WE'RE OPENING OUR DOORS TO YOU ON SATURDAY! Gale Academy

7600 N. Marshfield, Chicago 60626

(773) 534-0268

(just north of Howard Street, one block from the CTA Howard Red Line) and Neighbors United In New Possibilities

1503 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago 60626

(773) 338-0478

(Next to Common Cup at W. Morse and N. Greenview, one block from CTA Morse Red Line) TOMATOES, PEPPERS, FLOWERS, HERBS AND MORE! READY FOR PLANTING IN YOUR GARDEN! A VARIETY OF HANGING BASKETS ALSO AVAILABLE! PLANTS HAVE BEEN HARDENED AND READY FOR OUTDOOR PLANTING!!! REGULAR DAY-TIME PLANT SALES, MONDAY - FRIDAY: Neighbors United in New Possibilities 1503 W. Morse Avenue (next to Common Cup) Contact Katherine Vincent (773) 338-0478 Gale Commuity Academy by appointment. Contact Mr. Roberts at the Parent Room (773) 534-0268 Plants grown and cared for by Gale Students and Community Volunteers Proceeds will be used to purchase computers for the Parent Room At Gale Academy For more information contact Katherine Vincent at Neighbors United in New Possibilities, (773) 338-0478

Common Cup is One Year Old!

Has it been a year already?

Common Cup at 1501 W. Morse Avenue will be a full year old on Wednesday, May 14 and they plan to celebrate!

Owner Ruth Hoekwater says she will hold a drawing for multiple prizes as part of the celebration.

Enjoy their fine fare as always - yummy yogurt/fruit parfaits, freshly baked pastries, great coffee drinks, teas, and more. (I'm hooked on the home made blueberry pie.)

I was the very last customer of 2007, and one of their first on opening day, May 14, 2007. Since then, it's been a pleasure to watch their business grow, and to get to know Ruth and husband John. Wonderful people, great coffee shop. Visit their web site for more information.

What's Your Coffee IQ?

Common Cup will help you raise your coffee IQ with a special "Intelligentsia Seed to Cup" presentation on April 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Common Cup barista extraordinaire Dawn Marie writes:

"There is a lot that goes into your daily cup of coffee! Join Jay Cunningham from Intelligentsia, James Brewer from Ameriprise Financial, and your friends at the Common Cup for a coffee tasting and presentation.

"We'll taste three distinctly different coffees, check out some photography taken by Intelligentsia on their extensive travels to source, and learn more about their unique, sustainable buying model, Direct Trade.

"The coffee tasting will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Common Cup, 1501 W. Morse Avenue.

The cost is $5.00, but all who come will get a complimentary bag of coffee (at $5.50 retail value!).

Space is limited, so please reserve a spot now! Sign up at the cafe or email shethatis@hotmail.com."

Photos copyright 2008 t.h.mannis, all rights reserved

Morse and Greenview: One Busy Intersection

Lots of change at this little intersection.

Condo conversion on the northwest corner. New condo construction on the northeast corner. The little Dollar Store is gone from the south east corner, and a new store is going in as I type this. Yesterday, the facade was removed (photo). Today a new glass and steel facade makes the corner look much nicer. (Now, if only the building owner could do something about the pigeon poop that rains down along the length of the building....)

Of course, there is also the still-new Common Cup coffee shop on the southwest corner, the only function business at the corner at the moment. Today, Ruth's husband John is putting up their new outdoor seating area, with a nice looking cedar fence around it. Be sure to check out Common Cup's menu (and the beautiful photos!).

Common Cup Grand Opening!

This month, we celebrate the opening of Rogers Park's newest coffee house at The Common Cup (at the corner of Morse and Greenview). The event will be sponsored by Community First Bank. Please come and bring your friends and neighbors as we join owners Ruth & John Hoekwater and 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. FULL STORY...

Comfy Cool at Common Cup

Ahhhh. It's hot and muggy outside. But I am sitting in air conditioned comfort at Common Cup cafe at 1501 W. Morse (at N. Greenview), checking email and sipping a cuppa joe. Life ain't so bad.