What is "Dining on the 5"?

This isn't something I've taken advantage of, but it's great that the Greater Chatham Initiative is getting publicity for this. "Dining on the 5" is the subject of an article for the hyperlocal Block Club Chicago. The article is about dining on 75th Street - which over the years is known as Black Wall Street or Renaissance Row.

The potential here as I think was noted here on this blog, 75th Street could become a culinary, entertaining, or nightlife center. There are a number of restaurants or eateries on 75th, perhaps there's an opportunity there that the community should take advantage of. Perhaps "Dining on the 5" is key.

What is "Dining on the 5"?

Six of the strip’s most popular restaurants are offering discounts and outdoor seating to customers who come in through July 23.

“There are 77 neighborhoods in Chicago, and in greater Chatham we have four neighborhoods,” Greater Chatham Initiative director Nedra Sims Fears said. “We have to get our name out there to get our name recognition out there and have people come and visit us, and having an event like ‘Dining on the 5’ attracts people from all over.”

Fears said “Dining On The 5” started last year as a pilot program with help from the city’s Department of Transportation and Dept. of Planning.

Rebranding Chatham is at the core of organizing the event, Fears said. At previous events, people have traveled from as far as Ohio and Indiana.

The participating establishments:

• Original Soul Vegetarian, 205 E. 75th
• Lem’s Bar-B-Q, 311 E. 75th
• Mabe’s Deli, 312 E. 75th
• Brown Sugar Bakery, 328 E. 75th
• 5 Loaves Eatery, 405 E. 75th
• Flammin Restaurant, 641 E. 75th

Ahhhh very interesting line-up and dine on some Lem's on the sidewalk or grab a baked good from Brown Sugar - never been BTW. Better yet another establishment I've never eaten at get some chicken from 5 Loaves.

Either way there's an opportunity here. Can 75th attract more than locals and become a culinary, entertainment, or nightlife center for the south side?

Photo of Abbott Park sexual assault suspect

We had a hard time getting this photo on the blog, but here is a photo of the sexual assault suspect.

And here is the news story from the Chicago Tribune:

Police issued a community alert this afternoon warning of a sexual assault in Abbott Park on the South Side in the city's Roseland neighborhood.



A woman was waiting for the bus on the 9500 block of South Michigan Ave between the hours of 2 to 6 a.m. on Aug. 18, A man approached her from behind and pulled her into Abbott Park where she was beaten and sexually assaulted.

Please be careful out there, but also watchful, so we can catch these crimnals!

Here's a description:

The man was described as black, between the ages of 24 to 33, between 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, police said.

He has a medium complexion with brown eyes and a low cut Mohawk, police said.

He was last seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt and dark blue jeans.

If you have any info please contact Area South Bureau detectives at 312-747-8271.

WHat's with the Heliocopters?

My family noticed yesterday, and especially today that heliocopters have been flying overhead, especially at night (tonight it was between 10pm & 11pm). They seemed to circle approximately between State & Cottage Grove, 77th (??) to 81st.

What's going on?

A crime scene they're investigating?

A manhunt?

Anyone have any better/more accurate details and/or ideas?