WICKER PARK — It's another big weekend in the Wicker Park area. Here are 9 picks of interesting stuff going on.
FRIDAY
Give a book a home! A library in possession of duplicate Polish and English books, CD and DVDs hopes that its surplus sale will result in more books being snapped up by eager readers. The 2015 Annual Book Sale is in the Polish Museum of America's Social Hall, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. The sale kicks off at 2 to 7 p.m. Friday and runs through Sunday. Check the museum's website for hours or call 773-384-3352.
Get Acquainted with Top Brass. New Near West Police Commander Ed Kulbida, who replaced Cmdr. Melissa Staples, will be meeting with community and residents at 6 p.m. Friday, St. Mary's auditorium, 1127 N. Oakley St. The topic of the gathering is to discuss police and community relations, according to a flier. if you can't make that, the next CAPS meeting for West Town beats 1221, 1225 and 1215, among others, are Sept. 8 and 10, according to the 12th District online public calendar.
Cmdr. Ed Kulbida, right, at a "Top Cop" awards ceremony (City of Chicago/Patrick Pyszka)
SATURDAY
Get Rid of Sensitive Papers, Electronics Responsibly. Old love letters and that 18-pound laptop can all be recycled in the Wicker Park Bucktown Taxpayer No. 33's Community Paper Shredding and E-cycling day, which is really a two-hour window, 10 a.m. to noon, A.N. Pritzker School parking lot, 2020 W. Evergreen St. in Wicker Park.
Go Biking in a Parade. Like a daylong Critical Mass, New Belgium's annual Tour de Fat bike parade will roll through several Logan Square blocks on Saturday morning and then culminate with festivities in Palmer Square Park, which has a long history of being a hub for bicycle riders. There's also an eclectic array of performance including yo-yo stunts, vaudeville acts, bands and more. Entry is free; sales from beer and merchandise will benefit local nonprofits West Town Bikes and CHIRP Radio. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Palmer Square, 2200 N. Kedzie Ave. Full schedule here.
Bikers at the Tour de Fat, 2013.
The bike parade at Tour de Fat is family friendly. (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)
Go West for West Fest! This fest puts a true emphasis on the local community. There's activities for dogs, kids, artists, a stage exclusively dedicated to DJs, and lots of cool unique shops along Chicago Avenue like Paperish Mess and Comrade Cycles that do not exist anywhere else. West Fest runs from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, on Chicago Avenue, from Damen to Wood St. $5 suggested donation for entry. More info here or visit West Fest's website.
Gardens as Inspiration, Respite. Over 60 Bucktown residents are opening their gardens to the public, for self-guided walks through the greenery plus a chance to identify 99 trees. There's also live music performances at the walk's home base, neighborhood staple Club Lucky and a Petting Zoo at Lottie's. Bucktown Garden Walk, start at 1824 W. Wabansia Ave. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free but printed maps are available for a $10 suggested donation.
Give a Deserving Dog a Forever Home. The 3rd annual "Brown Dog Picnic," held in memory of two deceased dogs, will help homeless dogs find homes. In addition to adoptable dogs, the event will feature a vegan and vegetarian picnic. Upton's Breakroom, noon to 5 p.m., 2054 W. Grand Ave.
Brown dogs Probert and Maizy, the inspirations for the picnic. (Facebook/Upton's Breakroom)
Enjoy Eclectic Art Inspired by Childhood. "Flashbacks, a Celebration of Childhood Obsessions" is a Revolution Brewery-sponsored art show featuring work by a trio of artists billed as "Chicago's strangest" (Greg Shirilla,Casey Sass and Dustin Michael Mertz). The free opening reception is slated for 7 to 11 p.m. Sideshow Gallery, 2219 N. Western Ave., on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square.
Shop at the Farmers Market. Score fresh veggies, meats, eggs, pastries, pasta, fruit, jam, coffee from Half-Wit Roasters, and fresh crepes made onsite at the weekly Wicker Park Farmers Market, every Sunday in the park. See the full vendor list. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Picnic to Live Classical Music. Pack a basket or buy ready made food from Scone City at the Wicker Park Farmers Market and settle in "Schiller Grove," on the southwest edge of the par. Members of Symphony Sounds Quartet will perform a free hour long concert, "Morning to Night," featuring classic compositions from the Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and more. 11 a.m., Schiller Grove, near the southwest corner of Schiller and Damen in the park.
