Ariel Parrella-Aureli

3 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Ariel Parrella-Aureli

LOGAN SQUARE — Ald. Anthony Quezada grew up picnicking at the Logan Square Monument with his family and friends, hanging out at the old Megamall and seeing shows at the Congress Theater. Quezada, a former Cook County commissioner who was appointed as the new 35th Ward alderperson in April, was born and raised in Logan Square, which makes representing the area a humbling and rewarding full circle moment, he said in a Block Club interview last week.

3 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Ariel Parrella-Aureli

LOGAN SQUARE — Ben and Erica Santine have spent years collecting mysterious oddities on their travels, picking them up from museums, fellow collectors and friends. Two years ago, the couple felt called to start a new chapter, packing up their home in Austin, Texas, and chasing a dream to bring their collection to Logan Square. “What better time than now? If we don’t try it, we are never going to know,” Erica Santine said of the life change.

3 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Ariel Parrella-Aureli

WEST HUMBOLDT PARK — Nathaniel “Nate” Fejerang was known to his friends and family as a big teddy bear, always making people laugh and acting like the main character in the room, his girlfriend said. Chicago police shot and killed Fejerang, 19, Thursday on his block in West Humboldt Park after they tried to stop and detain him, according to the Police Department and its watchdog, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

3 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Ariel Parrella-Aureli

HUMBOLDT PARK — Two public bathrooms in Humboldt Park’s namesake park are ready to reopen after years of calls from neighbors and local leaders to rehab the facilities. The public bathrooms near the eastern set of basketball courts south of Luis Munoz Marin Drive are set to reopen in mid-June, said Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons. The Boathouse bathrooms reopened Monday. The bathrooms near the basketball courts have been closed for years. Neighbors and Ald.

3 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Ariel Parrella-Aureli

AVONDALE — A longstanding arts group on the Northwest Side wants to expand its operations into two adjacent buildings on the same block to increase art opportunities for neighbors and curb ongoing gentrification. The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, which has operated out of an old firehouse at 3000 N. Elbridge Ave. for 15 years after moving from Humboldt Park, could open a community center in the building next door if a zoning change is approved for the project.