Shoppers explore the Thursday farmers market in Lincoln Square. Photo/Patty Wetli, Center Square Journal..

Good news for fans of the Thursday night Lincoln Square Farmers Market, and for those who’ve yet to discover this gem — its run is being extended through Oct. 28, with earlier hours, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  (The market will take a break on Sept. 9, returning on Sept. 16.)

Conceived as a companion to the summer concert series in Giddings Plaza, the market, located at the corner of Lincoln and Leland Avenues, was originally slated to close up shop on Sept. 2, but vendors wanted to keep it going, according to Melissa Flynn, executive director of the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce.

“I considered that a good sign,” she said.

In its first year, the market has faced its share of difficulties—namely the weather— but Flynn has been pleased with its overall performance and credits it with a number of successes: helping people shop locally, promoting Lincoln Square, and, perhaps foremost, offering residents an alternative to the Square’s Tuesday morning market.

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The IWW is now headquarted in Northcenter at 2117 W. Irving Park Road. Photo/Mike Fourcher, Center Square Journal.

Maybe you’ve passed this building at 2117 W. Irving Park, but did you know that it’s the headquarters of the international labor union, Industrial Workers of the World? The organization was originally headquartered in Chicago but, starting in the ’90s, began to move around—to Ypsilanti, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati—until returning to the Windy City in January 2010.

Joe Tessone, current General Secretary-Treasurer of IWW, explained the reason for the frequent relocation: “For awhile the organization hasn’t had quite enough people running for office, so [the headquarters] have moved around to make it easier for people to take the job of Secretary-Treasurer. Rather than you having to move to Chicago, the headquarters moved to you.”

Why did the IWW choose Northcenter?

“Our Chicago branch office is on the South Side, at 37 South Ashland, so we wanted some place that was in a different part of the city,” Tessone said. “The space here suits our needs.”

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pThe back of Filbert Playlot Park abuts an alley, where dumpsters attract rats. Photo/Center Square Journal

For families who live near Northcenter’s Filbert Playlot Park (1822 W. Larchmont Avenue), the park is the only playground within a seven-block radius. In addition, three area schools and daycare facilities rely on the park for daily use. The City of Chicago acquired the property on which the playground now sits in 1959. Later that year it was transferred to the Chicago Park District, and in 1973 it was officially designated Filbert Park.

The pocket playlot, wedged up against the Irving Park Brown Line, stands as worn and tired as the El tracks that hover above. Weeds have grown so large that many resemble trees, the drinking fountain is rendered unusable due to unsanitary conditions, potholes scatter the concrete, graffiti covers benches and railings, and decay and mold have consumed much of the splinter-ridden wooden play equipment. Additionally, the playground is without a security gate (posing a safety hazard for quick-footed toddlers), while the appearance of a guest rat or two (the park lies adjacent to an alley lined with several dumpsters) is not uncommon. The neglected playground has indeed seen better days: That’s why area families are often compelled to drive or walk a distance to other neighborhood parks.

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Image/Center Square Journal

This week the Journals are a proud, proud family. That’s because today our family is growing to include the Roscoe View Journal, Your Definitive Guide to Roscoe Village and West Lakeview.

Yep, that’s right. New neighborhoods and new places to cover. If you take a look at our new site, you’ll notice the same frothy mix of local news, opinion, events, and personalities you’ve come to expect here at Center Square—just in a different place.

Besides the website, you can follow RVJ on Twitter and Facebook. It’s even got its own Flickr group with great(!) neighborhood pictures.

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Photo/Center Square Journal

Sean Flannery’s Never Been To Paris is a new one-man show debuting at Lincoln Lodge on Friday, August 20, and it’s sure to make even the toughest cynic crack a smile. Flannery has been piecing this show together for more than two years, working to get it exactly where he wants it. I’ve seen several performances during the perfecting process and have enjoyed every bit of the show’s development.

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The owner of the internationally known improvisational comedy center, iO Theater, is considering a move to Lincoln Square. “I like the alderman and he wanted me there,” said Charna Halpern. “I think it’s a hip neighborhood.”

First reported by CBS 2 Chicago, iO Theater (formerly known as the Improv Olympic), must leave Wrigleyville to make room for a recently approved new hotel development across from Wrigley Field.

iO Theater's marquee. Photo/Kris Arnold.

Read the complete story by Mike Fourcher, at the Center Square Journal

Ship ahoy! The DANK Haus German Cultural Center recently announced that the Roald Amundsen, a traditional Tall Ship from Germany, will sail to Chicago in late August. The vessel arrives at Navy Pier on August 24, and on August 26 (from 6 to 8 p.m.), the public is invited aboard for the The Roald Amundsen Tall Ship Family Reception.

Image by http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlass/

This debut event, co-presented by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACCoM) and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, is part of a larger festival, Tall Ships Chicago showcasing a fleet of 30 traditionally rigged ships from a variety of countries as they make their way along the North American East Coast and into the Great Lakes in the 2010 Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge® race series.

The rest of the story is at Tatum Bartlett, Center Square Journal

Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School (3730 N. Oakley Ave.) is about to get a new and improved playground. This week Principal Sandra Caudill and Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th) broke ground on the new play lot, which will be installed by Chicago Public High School students. They are part of CPS’ Groundbreakers—a youth initiative playground program—and are employed by the city under the supervision of Groundbreakers director, Felicia Ramos.

Students, faculty and community members dig at the site of the new play lot at Bell School. Photo/Ald. Eugene Schulter

Read the rest of the story by Cody Prentiss, Center Square Journal

Local restaurateurs could see their overhead come down due to a new beer and wine license proposed by Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th), chair of the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. At the June 9 City Council meeting, Schulter introduced changes to the city liquor license ordinance to allow for a more affordable beer and wine license. The proposed license would cost restaurateurs $1,600 every two years, as opposed to the current two-year license fee of $4,400 that covers all alcohol.

“This new license category will give entrepreneurs more options,” Schulter said in a press release.

Read the full story at the Center Square Journal
This story has been updated on ChicagoTalks.