Portage Park's great new neighborhood gathering spot - Portage Grounds located across from the park at 5501 W. Irving Park Rd. PPNA Community Meeting All are welcome and encouraged to join us at our monthly meeting Monday, September 16 at the People's Gas & Coke Building - 4839 W. Irving Park Rd. 7:30pm



We are pleased to welcome 38th Ward Alderman Timothy Cullerton as our featured speaker. Notable The Patio Theater welcomes fall with some changes. The Northwest Chicago Film Society will continue to make the theater their home with weekly screenings of rare 35mm & 16mm film prints from studio vaults, film archives, and private collections. The second-run Hollywood films though, are a thing of the past. Programming will be filled out with a selection of digitally remastered classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s. September/October screenings include Bonnie and Clyde, Mean Streets and The French Connection. Also expect the special "Sci-Fi Spectaculars" that used to be hosted by The Portage Theater. Read owner Demetri Kouvalis thoughtful blog post about the reasons behind these decisions here. Congratulations on two fronts for the folks behind neigborhood favorite Sicilia Bakery. In August they celebrated an amazing 45 years in Portage Park and launched the well received Rosie's West Town Deli in Ukranian Village. We wish the Pecoraro family many years of continued success.



More kudos for Leadbelly Burgers in the Irving Austin Business District. Chicago's Best has given them bragging rights to the "Best French Fries" in Chicago. Can't argue with that! Catch the show on Sunday, September 15 at 10:30pm - WGN Not to be left out of all the television excitement, The Portage will be a featured restaurant on the next season of Check Please! The film crew came out on August 28 to interview owner Quay Tao and to shoot the hustle and bustle of this great spot in action. Between the elegant dining room, the cool patio, and consistently delicious fare, The Portage is sure to do the neighborhood proud. New Business Portage Park welcomes Oak Street Health to the former Hancock Fabrics space. Designed to work as an all-inclusive clinic, they will provide healthcare exclusively for Medicare patients. Features include a community gathering space, multiple exam rooms and transportation to and from visits for those who need it. Opening September 28.



Old Irving Park is home to two new unique businesses that deserve attention. Away We Play - Music, Movement & Messy Art (a Lincoln Park transplant) offers classes for parents & children ages 6mos to 48 mos. Owner Cara Pollard is a recent recipient of the Red Tricycle Award for "Best Children's Art Class" in Chicago. Sharing the space at 4318 W. Irving Park Rd. is UpBeat Music and Arts providing guitar and piano instruction for students ages 7 through 17. Director Scott Barbeau believes in mentoring through the arts - that music instruction helps children achieve confidence, build self esteem and feel connected to the larger arts community. Fall classes forming now. ETC... To keep current on community events, movie times or even just drink specials at the local pub, join our lively Facebook community - now over 1,000 strong!

Arts Art in the Park

9/21 - 9/22 17th Annual fine arts and crafts festival sponsored by Tonti Council 1567 of the Knights of Columbus. A neighborhood favorite, enjoy dozens of booths set up around the perimeter of the park. Portage Park 9:00am - 5:00pm Free



Broadsword

9/26 - 11/24 The final production of their acclaimed 2013 season, The Gift Theater describes Broadsword as an amplified â€œheavy metal dramaâ€ from a writer for FXâ€™S â€œSons of Anarchy.â€ 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets available here.



Art in your Cup Gala

9/28 With their solid programming of live music and art exhibits, Regulus Coffee House is a Northwest side classic. Join them for a special evening of fine arts, music and live performances accompanied by coffee, chocolate and hors d'oeuvres. 21 and over please. 6032 W. Irving Park Rd. 7:00pm-12:00am $10 donation



Community Portage Park Farmers Market

9/15 & 9/29 Enjoy a wide variety of organic produce, meats & baked goods, crafts, food vendors and live music in a beautiful setting. Central & Berteau 10:00am - 2:00pm



St. Edward Parish 3rd Annual Oktoberfest

9/21 German and American food, games, raffles, live music, dancing, beer tent, wine garden. Children's Games 2 - 7pm. $5 General Admission, $3 Seniors, Children 4 and under free. 4447 N. Lowell Ave. 2:00pm - 11:00pm.



Jefferson Park Sunday Market

9/22 Locally sourced produce, treats from Portage Park's own Delightful Pastries and other specialty items. At Jefferson Memorial Park, Higgins & Long, 9:30am - 1:30pm



Friends of Thorp's Pub Quiz

9/22 Fundraiser to support a new playground. Hosted by Galvin's Public House from 4-6pm. Stay for the Bears vs. Steelers at 7:30pm. 5901 W. Lawrence Ave. Purchase tickets here.



PPHH Pub Quiz NIght

9/23 Support Portage Park Elementary School and show off your trivia skills during the Portage Park Helping Hands Pub Quiz Night. $10 per person, up to 6 per team. Sponsored by Sutherland's 5353 W. Irving Park Rd. 8:00pm



Fall into Fitness 5K Run

9/29 "Fall into Fitness" on a certified 5K course. Co-sponsored by Presence Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center & 38th Ward Alderman Tim Cullerton. Proceeds will help support the hospital's medical interpreters program to meet communications needs of Polish and Spanish-speaking patients. Irving Park & Long, 8:30am rain or shine. More details here.