DevCorp North's Disingenuous Name Change

There's been a minor fuss over the "name change" of the notorious DevCorp North in East Rogers Park. They want everyone to know that they are now "Rogers Park Business Alliance," but the fact is that their Entity Name is still "DevCorp North," as listed with the Illinois Secretary of State. The reason given for the "name change" is weird. DevCorp's July 30 press release states that their new name "allows" them "to build on past successes and focus on strengthening business and building community in Chicago's most diverse neighborhood." Huh? Why would a name change be required for that? You can see the full press release here. In addition, the fact that public-money-sucking DevCorp has employed an advertising agency to help get the word out about the name change raises more questions. The most obvious question: How much is DevCorp/RPBA spending for a simple task that any of the dullards in their own office could have done? That July 30 press release was sent as an attachment by Mark Farina (email mfarina@a5inc.com) of Chicago ad agency a5 Group, Inc. at 1 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago. I sent an email to Mark Farina on Sunday, August 2, in which I asked him the following questions: Dear Mr. Farina: A few questions, please: What is a5inc? Did DevCorp North simply change its name, or is this part of a restructuring of the corporation? Why did DevCorp North - a name well known in Rogers Park already - feel the need to change its name? (The statement by Board president Tommy FitzGibbon, as appears on the website page http://www.rogers-park.com/2009/07/devcorp-north-changes-name-to-rogers-park-business-alliance.html, does not address any of these questions.) Does the name change mean that DevCorp / RPBA has or will cease any business conducted outside of Rogers Park (e.g., in Wrigleyville)? The IL Sec. of State shows that the Entity Name is STILL "DevCorp North" (File Number 53052711), and that "Rogers Park Business Alliance" is merely the Assumed Name. Why was the Entity Name NOT changed as well? Inasmuch as the actual Entity Name is STILL "DevCorp North," is the announcement of a "name change" to "better reflect" the community not somewhat disingenuous? READ MORE ABOUT DEVCORP HERE... Leave a Comment... See Our Online Store Chicago News Bench RSS Feed We're on Twitter...

Big Belly Trash Can Chokes to Death

Sometimes, low-tech is better. Big Belly trash cans prove this point. They are solar powered trash cans that compact the garbage put inside of them. Big Belly brags that this allows a reduction in needed trash pickups. Of course, Big Bellys also guarantee a 100% increase in mechanical maintenance over the traditional, plain ol' garbage can. You can bet that it will cost more to maintain these things than it will to pound out a dent in a regular can. Not only that, but how "green" do you think it is to manufacture one of these high-tech monstrosities as compared to a regular plastic or metal trash can? This is not the first time we've seen a Big Belly break down. The Bench took a photo of a choking Big Belly on the same corner in May, 2008. We told you this would happen, but of course, anybody could have told you so. Sooner or later, every machine breaks down.

Hypocritical Energy Efficiency Workshop Tonight (bring an old pair of shoes)

Hypocrisy knows no bounds in Rogers Park. An email blast from Chicago's 49th Ward Alderplaya Joe Moore urges us to attend a meeting tonight do learn about "energy efficiency." (You might want to bring an old pair of shoes, if you know what I mean.) Joe Moore claims to be very "green." He's environmentally hip and oh-so-sensitive to the environment. So much so, you see, that he usually drives the two short blocks from his large, energy-inefficient house on Fargo to his dumpy ward office at Jarvis and N. Greenview. (It's okay, you see, because that little two-block drive leaves a tiny little carbon footprint. After all, it's not like he's driving all the way downtown, right?) Oh, and there's the good folks at DevCorp North, Moore's puppets, who claim to be oh-so-sensitive to the environment, too. That's why their staff drives a big freeking Ford F250 pickup truck, which has gets between 10.5 - 11 MPG in town and 12.5 - 14 MPG on the highway. (It's okay, though, because that's better than, say, 3 to 6 miles to the gallon.) Here is the full text of Greenie Joe Moore's email: Free Energy Efficiency Workshop Tonight Dear Neighbor, The 49th Ward Green Corps is pleased to join with the Edgewater Community Council in supporting Loyola University's "Building a Sustainable Community Series" which kicks off tonight with a workshop on energy efficiency. Please join us: Building a Sustainable Community.pdf (395 KB) Tuesday, December 16, 7:00 to 8:30 PM, at Loyola University Chicago/ Simpson Multi-Purpose Room, 6333 N. Winthrop, at the corner of Winthrop and Sheridan. Energy Efficiency, part of Loyola University Chicago's Building a Sustainable Community Series in partnership with Edgewater Community Council and 49th Ward Green Corps Gain insight from Loyola and community-based experts on how to save energy. This is the kick-off of a planned four-part Building a Sustainable Community monthly series that will continue through March. For details, contact Loyola Community Relations at 773-508-7450 or email at communityrelations@luc.edu. We appreciate Loyola University's work in supporting and linking Chicago's North Lakefront communities in our environmental efforts. Mark your calendars now for the upcoming workshops on January 17, February 17 and March 21. Please also plan to join in our Earth Day Celebration on April 25. If you are interested in learning more about the 49th Ward Green Corps, please contact BarbaraMoore@ward49.com. Very truly yours, Joe Moore Visit the website of the 49th Ward Click here to be removed from our email list RELATED READING: 31000 scientists reject 'global warming' agenda Ecofascism / Fascist Ideology: The Green Wing of the Nazi Party ... Hitler Was Greedy: - Reason Magazine Were the Nazis radical environmentalists?

DevCorp's Huge Gas Guzzler

"DevCorp North members work to protect the environment," says the headline on page one of the Summer 2008 DevCorp Journal.

"At DevCorp North, we try to be as green as possible considering the circumstances."

Uh huh. How's the mileage on DevCorp North's shiny new Ford F250 pickup truck? (Hint: The mileage is probably UNDER 15 mpg, which is horrible by any standard. This is no "green machine.")

Kind of hypocritical for DevCorp to tell you and me that we should be green, and that they themselves "work to protect by environment." Will Alderman Moore tell them to trade the fuel guzzler in for a solar powered vehicle? Hmmm? For more information about the Ford F250, check out the pissed-off customer remarks here...

Thank You, DevCorp and Ald. Moore

Thanks to Alderman Moore and DevCorp for putting on the Clark Street Festival. While The Bench is often critical of both, credit goes where credit is due. As I wrote last year, DevCorp excels at putting on street festivals (this and the upcoming Glenwood Arts Fest in August). So, kudos to DevCorp for another Clark Street Festival, and to Alderman Moore's office for the support needed for such a great event. The following is from Alderman Moore via email blast: Join your neighbors and me for a day of food, fun and music at the 3rd Annual Celebrate Clark Street Festival, this Sunday, July 13th, from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. I am proud to co-sponsor this year's festival, which will take place on Clark Street, between Morse Avenue and Estes Avenue (6900 to 7100 North Clark). Admission is FREE! Area restaurants will be serving up food from around the world, and our local merchants will be selling their wares. There will be activities for kids and live music from two stages! My Satellite Service Office will be up and running taking city service requests at the festival, so stop by and say "hello" to my staff and me! Following....is a music schedule for the two main stages. Celebrate Clark Street Music Schedule 1:00 - Seneke - North Stage 1:30 - Sangre Michoacana - South Stage 2:30 - Hector Silveira -North Stage 3:00 - Chicago Samba - South Stage 4:00 - Indika Reggae Band - North Stage 4:30 - Occidental Brothers- South Stage 5:30 - Som Brasil - North Stage 6:00 - Sangre Michoacana - South Stage 7:00 - Azul de Noche - North Stage 7:30 - Chicago Afrobeat Project - South Stage 8:30 - Fandanguero - North Stage 9:00 - Los Vicios de Papa - South Stage

Heartland Liquor License Modified (Why No Public Meeting???)

Item #2 in the June 25 email blast from Sandi Price, DevCorp North's managing director, is a notice that Heartland Cafe will again be serving liquor on its patio. They were fined $3,000 last fall for serving on the patio, which was not included in their license. But what's the deal? If Heartland Cafe is again serving on the patio, it means that they are (a) continuing to violate their liquor license, or (b) their liquor license was modified to include the patio. If it's (b), then we'd like to know why there was no public meeting to consider that liquor license modification! (If you gag a little bit after reading Katy Hogan's hyperbolic text, you're to be forgiven.) From: Sandi Price [mailto:sprice@devcorpnorth.org] Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:16 AM To: sprice@devcorpnorth.org Subject: Rogers Park Happenings The HEARTLAND CAFE, at the corner of Lunt & Glenwood in the heart of Rogers Park, is ONCE AGAIN, as it had for many years, SERVING ALCOHOL along with its consistently "Good Wholesome Food for the Mind & Body", on their gorgeous, flowering Outdoor Patio space; an outdoor cafe without peer for its grace and beauty. Yours in serving the 'hood since 1976, Kathleen & Michael, Heartland Cafe Co- Founders, Owners and Neighbors 7000 N. Glenwood, Chicago 773 465 8005 www.heartlandcafe.com Sandi Price Managing Director DevCorp North (773) 508-5885 www.rogers-park.com (By the way, notice Katy's claim that Heartland Cafe's serves "consistently" good food. Really? The service is consistently slow, the kitchen help is consistently underpaid and not allowed to join a union, and a common complaint about the place is inconsistent quality of the food!)

Edgewater Getting It Done!

They know how to do it over in Edgewater, one of Chicago's most vital neighborhoods. Unlike Rogers Park, its economically troubled neighbor immediately north, Edgewater has an alderman and private companies that readily and openly engage in promoting the neighborhood.

Not afraid of progress, Edgewater is rapidly pulling itself up by its boot straps with exciting new restaurants, cafes, retailers and more. Meanwhile, Rogers Park to the north is mired in political shadows, local power struggles, and much alleged corruption.

Come see for yourself next week by joining the "Dinner Crawl" (details below). (This should be of particular interest to folks who live in the Occupied 49th Ward of Rogers Park, who have been repeatedly lied to by Alderman Joe Moore and DevCorp North about promises of revitalizing Morse Avenue and Howard Street.)

From the Edgewater Development Corporation's web site:

Fourteen local restaurants will be open for your enjoyment and many businesses will also join in on the fun. Taste the flavors, experience the theater, enjoy the shopping. Edgewater awaits you on Bryn Mawr & Broadway this June 26th.

Bryn Mawr, Edgewater's historic main street serves as the backdrop for this evening. Participating restaurants will offer samples from their menu for your dining enjoyment. You will also catch snippets of performing arts and great shopping destinations peppered amongst the food. It's a menu for a wonderful summer evening in historic Edgewater.

Date
From June 26, 2008 6:00 PM
Until June 26, 2008 8:30 PM

Location
Starting point is Bridgeview Bank
1058 W Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60640

Info Line
773-506-4016
Website http://www.edgewaterdev.org/

Contact: Adam Burck
6044 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
773-506-4016
info@edgewaterdev.org

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

Joe Moore's PuddleScape

Alderman Joe Moore, 49th Ward, finally put on a purple t-shirt and looked at the huge puddle at 1501 W. Morse Avenue today. The puddle has inconvenienced people for months. Accompanying Moore was Assistant Commissioner Thomas LaPorte of the Department of Water Management and several other DWM people.

Finally, after inconveniencing hundreds of people, presenting a challenge for elderly and handicapped bus riders, and scaring customers away from a coffee shop's sidewalk patio, it looks as though something might be done to unplug the street gutter drain.

The Bench has been complaining about the huge puddle for months. Nearly a month ago, DevCorp North's Rene Camargo said the puddle was "on the list" of things to fix. The Special Service Area #24 (SSA) did nothing. Alderman Moore did nothing.

Yesterday, however, I was talking with somebody whose name I cannot mention, but I can tell you that she is very influential in the 49th Ward. She said she's been reading about the puddle on The Bench. She said the plugged drain would probably not be fixed until "after Streetscape is completed."

"When will that be," I asked, "another ten years?" She laughed and shook her head, but she made a phone call right then and there. It was not to the alderman's office. Let's just say it was to another influential local person. That person, in turn, apparently made some phone calls of his own, which resulted in Joe Moore putting on a grape-colored t-shirt and staring at the puddle.

Let's hope that LaPorte's visit indicates that something will be done soon. And while Joe Moore is at it, perhaps he could walk down to the recently-closed Jamaican restaurant in the 1300 block of Morse and stare at the pile of gravel on the sidewalk.

It's been there for nearly 18 months.

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???

UPDATED: LOYOLA PARK BEACH OPEN FOR BUSINESS

FOOD VENDORS NOW WELCOME ON LOYOLA PARK BEACH!

CORRECTED/UPDATED - The Bench mistakenly said yesterday that this vendor was not licensed. In fact, there is a tiny permit on the cart. This only reinforces The Bench's assertion that Chicago Park District is selling out to push cart vendors along the beach.

This is great news for food vendors in Chicago.

This vendor set up shop on Saturday, May 24 at the south end of Loyola Park on Chicago's north side.

The vendor was back on Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26 - and why not? There's money to be made selling chips and soda and hot dogs at the beach.

This adds a whole new dimension to Rogers Park's already famous dining scene. And now - apparently - anybody can just set up shop on the beach! How long will it be before the Park District allows 20 more vendors onto Loyola Park's beach?

According to Chicago Park Concessions Management, to sell food you need several things. Their web site says, "Each concession must have at least two (2) persons certified with the Chicago Dept. of Health Certified Foodservice Manager Certificate." The Bench observed several periods when the vendor had only one person tending the food cart.

Businesses Leaving Rogers Park

Two businesses in Chicago's 49th Ward are closing their doors.

One is My Quiet Place, a Jamaican restaurant that just didn't get it. Crummy interior, no marketing to speak of, bad lighting, bad neighborhood. (See related story.) While we're sorry to see any business fail, we can't help but wonder why this one stayed open as long as it did.

Contrast My Quite Place to the successful Grill Inn‎ 1422 W Morse Avenue and Taqueria Los Portales‎ at 1418 W Morse, just down the street. They have cozy, welcoming interiors. My Quiet Place made the mistake that too many Third World restaurateurs make - they seem unaware that most Americans have a low tolerance for creepy restaurant decor.

Another business that is closing is Mega Dollar Day‎ at 7100 N. Clark Street. Not a failed business, they've simply had enough of the crime in Rogers Park. Or too much, actually.

The Bench broke the story that Mega Dollar Day was robbed not once but twice - within a single week recently. I spoke to the owners yesterday and he said that after 13 years on Clark Street, they've decided that "enough is enough." The business is for sale and they are planning to close in about two weeks.

Will we hear about these success stories from DevCorp North? Will DevCorp Empress Kimberly Bares stand in front of either business, on a soap box, and proclaim the virtues of doing business in Rogers Park? Will Alderman Joe Moore ever get over Mega Dollar Day and give personal best wishes to the owners? Don't hold your breath.

Robbery Could Have Been Prevented

Exclusive from The Bench
Security gratings (or "bars") would have prevented a robbery at the Kwik Mart in Rogers Park last night. The glass of the front door was broken and the store was entered around 9:30 on Tuesday night, March 25.

Only tobacco products were taken, the store owner told The Bench. The front door was the only apparent damage to the store.

49th Ward Alderkommisar Joe Moore is trying to get local merchants to remove the gratings. He is using his apparatchiks at DevCorp North to pressure the merchants, insisting that the gratings make the neighborhood look ugly and dangerous.

Here's a news flash for Joe Moore and DevCorp's Rene Camargo: Rogers Park is dangerous, and much of it is ugly. But which looks worse? Security gratings on secure businesses, or flashing blue lights in front of stores with smashed windows? Then there's the aftermath: Days or weeks of boarded up windows, which look a lot worse than the gratings.

Furthermore, if enough damage is done in the course of a robbery, the merchant could be driven out of business.

Suggestion for Joe Moore and his lapdog Rene Camargo: Face reality. The gratings are there for the same reason we all lock our doors or put a seat belt on. It's a simple, efficient preventative measure. Another suggestion: Pony up for damages to merchants whose stores and businesses suffer losses because you pressured them into removing their protective gratings.

Morse Avenue Still Savage

DevCorp is full of shit. They keep pressuring merchants on Morse Avenue in Rogers Park to remove the security gratings from their front windows. Camelot Realty found out the hard way that gratings might be useful. At 10:00 on Saturday morning, a brick was thrown through their window at Greenview and Morse. The computer monitor that played a slide show was stolen from the window sill. Police were called. How embarrassing. We ask: What looks better, protective gratings to prevent crime? Or boarded up windows that advertise that a crime has just taken place?

DevCorp North Loves Soo Liquors

DevCorp North must love infamous Soo Liquors on Morse Avenue.

Sure, they and Alderman Joe Moore recently strong armed Soo into taking down their hanging, illuminated sign.

But apparently DevCorp has sentimental feelings for the now missing sign.

Why else would they feature it on the cover of their current magazine?

MUST VIEW: Street of Broken Dreams

THREE VIDEOS show what a puke trough Howard Street is, in Alderman Moore's 49th Ward of Chicago. Sixteen years that lox has been the alderman and all we've gotten is lies, lies and election fraud. Oh, and more lies. * Howard Street - One Year Later

VIDEO: Howard Street Still Rotten After All These Years

The Bench presents:

Attacking the Free Press in Rogers Park

Click for larger image

Morse Avenue Update: Soo Liquors, Omelettes

Where did Soo Liquors's hanging sign go? The notorious landmark has disappeared. Not the liquor store, which a hangout for hoodlums and drunks. Just the sign.

The Bench spoke to a manager at Soo Liquors this afternoon. He said, in broken English, that Alderman Joe Moore (Democrat, 49th Ward) "forced" him to take it down. A representative of DevCorp was in the alderman's office when Soo Liquors was told that their sign permit would not be renewed, and that they must replace it with an awning similar to those of nearby merchants.

Soo Liquors is still there. The problem was never the sign. It was the single 40-ounce cans of malt liquor and other inexpensive booze. One DevCorp representative opined that things would be much better if Soo Liquor "only sold fine wines." But even with the sign gone, the real problems continue, as the photo of the 40-ouncer discarded in the gutter directly in front of Soo Liquors demonstrates.

If you want to make an omelette, you need to break a few eggs. We've all heard this. But the ham handed people in the Alderman's office seem to think that throwing the eggs against the wall is a great way to start. It's not. It just gets egg all over everything, and nothing really gets accomplished.

If Alderman Moore and DevCorp think that window dressing - literally - is the solution to the problem of Soo Liquors, they are tragically mistaken. And here's a shocker: The problem is not really Soo Liquors. It's the shitheads that hang out there, loitering and drinking on the sidewalk. But the last time I checked, it is not the responsibility of the merchants (including Soo Liquors) to shoo away the loiterers. The police are well aware of the problem, and it is their job to stop and disperse. It is the alderman's job to make sure the police do this. A liquor store is not a bad thing per se. Circumstances such as location, adherence to age laws, and the maturity of the surrounding neighbors make all the difference.

Joe Moore and Company have spent 16 plus years encouraging a population that cannot handle its liquor, does not know how to behave civilly, and raises children who continue these traditions.

Meanwhile, expect a glowing email anytime now from Alderman Moore that brags about the removal of the evil sign. You may be tempted to laugh. Crying, however, would be more appropriate.

DevCorp North: Worried Stupid

DevCorp North just can't help itself. Stupid is as stupid does, after all. They often make great efforts to prove their stupidity, and the recent threat of a CTA workers' strike demonstrates this neatly. DevCorp cried wolf, and has yet to correct themselves. The CTA unions were talking about a possible one-day walkout next Monday, December 17. However, it was publicly known last evening that this would not happen. The union called off their action and the major local media reported it immediately. It was on last night's web versions of the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. It was on last night's 10:00 TV newscasts. Nevertheless, some nervous nellie at DevCorp North put this on their website today: CTA walk-out affects SSA crew service In the event of a CTA walk-out (currently scheduled to affect CTA service on Monday, December 17), the Howard Street and Clark/Morse/Glenwood Special Service Areas will not have crew service. Please watch the news or check our website for updates. December 15, 2007 (source) Note the date of their posting. DevCorp North, a private nonprofit firm that pretends to create All Things Good in Rogers Park, so in touch, can't even pay close attention to a major news story that would have directly affected thousands of Rogers Park residents. Their posting warns us that - gasp! - the Special Service Areas "will not have crew service." Well, big deal. The underpaid Workfare prison-release crews won't be able to sweep up cigarette butts or discarded snack wrappers. Whoa, bolt the doors, folks, the DevCorp crews won't be out to keep things running smoothly! DevCorp wraps up their brief posting by advising us to "watch the news" for updates. Uhm, excuse me, DevCorp, why aren't YOU watching the news? RELATED: * CTA Walk-out Affects SSA Crew Service