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Here's Your Friday Pick-Me-Up: 7 Stories That Show How Awesome Chicago Is

By DNAinfo Staff | August 4, 2017 10:08am 

CHICAGO — The city came this close to having a statue called Owly McOwlface, there's an enormous new mural Downtown and neighbors are helping make Edgewater safer for everyone.

Catch up with the neighborhoods:

[Facebook/Everyday Edgebrook]

Edgebrook Owl Statue Came Within 1 Vote Of Being Named 'Owly McOwlface'

EDGEBROOK — The results are in.

Voters have chosen the relatively traditional "Eddie" as the name for the metal owl sculpture perched in Edgebrook, beating runner-up "Owly McOwlface" by a single vote.

Last month, the neighborhood group Everyday Edgebrook sponsored a 4-foot metal sculptureof a wide-eyed owl and set it in front of Local Goods Chicago, 5422 W. Devon Ave., where it will stay for about a year, group president Laura Guenther said.

Read more.

16-Story Knot Mural Is Newest Addition To South Loop Streetscape

PRINTERS ROW — The latest mural in the South Loop is "Beacon," a 16-story piece with a knot that ties together themes of the city's diversity and post-Fire rebirth. 

The 165-foot-tall mural at 30 E. Balbo Ave. is the work of Jeff Zimmermann, who's other big murals include works at Oak Street Beach and the 606. 

Zimmermann, who lives in Humboldt Park, said he finished "Beacon" last week after about a month of work. The ground floors of the mural show jagged shards of color reminiscent of flames, while the big, multi-colored knot on its upper floors represents Chicago's diverse population. When bound together, the people are stronger, Zimmermann said. 

Read more.

[DNAinfo/Linze Rice]

How 3 Good Neighbors Made Edgewater A Safer Place For Everyone

EDGEWATER — Three people who worked for years to make Edgewater a safer place were honored Tuesday night, proving that caring about your neighbors can completely transform a street — and a community.

During a National Night Out community policing meetup at Swift Elementary School, Lynn Pierce, Antonio Thomas and Officer Teddy Thanasenaris were recognized as "pillars of safety" for their contributions to the betterment of life in Edgewater, specifically on Thorndale Avenue.

Prior to a group walk around the neighborhood, 48th Ward Ald. Harry Osterman surprised the group with plaques embedded in concrete pillars at the Thorndale "L" station that honored their work "going above and beyond" in the neighborhood. 

Read more.

[Facebook/Betty Bot Bakery]

Betty Bot Opening Vegan Bakery In South Shore Friday

SOUTH SHORE — Betty Bot Bakery is bringing vegan baked goods and other vegan snacks and treats to South Shore starting Friday.

The bakery’s first retail location at 7100 South Shore Drive consolidates much of founder Betty Alper’s many baking ventures in the neighborhood she lives in.

Alper is the latest in a growing list of vegan chefs, bakers and caterers opening in South Shore, with vegetarian restaurant Majani opening nearby in June.

Read more.

[Google Maps]

Save The Wrigleyville Taco Bell, Supporters Say — But It's Likely Doomed

WRIGLEYVILLE — Whether it's to drink a 14th beer or to save a fast food joint, Wrigleyville knows how to rally.

Now, its residents are turning out with likely futile hopes of saving the Taco Bell at 1111 W. Addison St. Plans to redevelop the site after Taco Bell's lease is up in July 2018 mean the Tex-Mex chain will have to find new digs, or else vanish entirely from Lakeview.

When 23-year-old C.J. Black heard the news Wednesday morning, he knew something had to be done.

"I'm typically not an activist, but this really made me feel as though I needed to take action," Black said.

Read more.

(Bonus: Yelp Reviews Of Closing Taco Bell In Wrigleyville Are Pretty Hilarious)

[DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

Check Out These Adorable Pups From The West Town Dog Parade (PHOTOS)

WEST TOWN — The first annual West Town dog parade on Saturday brought out about 100 dogs and the people who love them — plus plenty of bystanders.

"I don't know about you, but I'm a dog person. I used to cry because they don't live as long as we do. Let's give dogs a round of applause," said Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), who addressed the crowd post-parade in Smith Park, 2526 W. Grand Ave.

Burnett, who marched in the 1.1-mile parade with his terrier Buddy, described dogs as "the best friends you could ever have, animals that "bring so much happiness and joy."

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[Daisy Foundation]

After Beloved Nurse's Death, Hospital Coworkers Raise $70K For Family

CHICAGO — More than $70,000 has been raised to help the family of a beloved Illinois Masonic nurse who died while on a family vacation in the Philippines.

Dexter Corpuz, of Jefferson Park, went with his wife and two daughters to visit the country. The day before they were to come home last week, Corpuz suffered a "brain bleed" and needed emergency surgery, according to a GoFundMe campaign raised to help the family.

Corpuz was in critical condition after the surgery, and his coworkers at Illinois Masonic Medical Center tried to think of ways they could help the family.

Elizabeth Ang, Corpuz's friend and a nurse at the hospital, launched the GoFundMe, hoping to raise $5,000 that could cover the costs of Corpuz's emergency surgery and help the family. She worried that would be too much to ask of people, but decided to try.

Read more.