🌱 Belmont Harbor Market Robbed + Free Fitness Classes

Happy Saturday, Lakeview! Let's get to the news for Jan. 8.

First, today's weather: Icy mix in the evening. High: 33, low: 29.

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Here are the top stories today in Lakeview:

1. More than 7,000 COVID-19 patients were in Illinois hospitals Friday. The state also saw 104 deaths from the virus yesterday, the highest number of fatalities since Feb. 11, 2021. (NBC)

2. A group of armed burglars broke into two Lakeview convenience stores Thursday. Offenders stole cash registers, liquor and tobacco products from Apple Bite and Belmont Harbor Market. Police believe they proceeded to dump the stolen cash register outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Gold Coast home. (CWB)

3. No one was injured Thursday when shots were fired in the 3500 block of North Pine Grove Avenue. Police are investigating the East Lakeview shooting. (CBS)

4. North Side fitness instructors are joining together to offer a week-long “club crawl” of free fitness classes to empower women. The event begins today and runs through Jan. 16, offering 14 in-person classes across the North Side. (Block Club)

5. Chicagoans can recycle Christmas trees at 27 locations throughout the city, beginning today and ending Jan. 22. More than 22,000 trees were recycled into mulch through the program last year. (Block Club)

Today in Lakeview:

• Learn to ice skate at Gallagher Way. (9 a.m. and 10 a.m.)
• Five Keys Yoga offers a meditation session for beginners. (11:30 a.m.)
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs at Buntrock Hall. (11:45 a.m.)
• Shop from more than 30 vendors at Handmade Market Chicago. (Noon)
• Paint cherry blossoms at Bottle & Bottega. (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Stella’s Diner made Eater’s list of the city’s “biggest dining surprises” in 2021. (Eater)
• The Chicago Public Library is accepting submissions for its Teen Winter Art Challenge. (CPL)
• Lakeview YMCA is updating its basketball court schedule due to the Chicago Public Schools closure. (YMCA)
• Chicago saw its first sub-zero temperatures in almost a year this week, with a milder weekend expected. (Patch)
• This week in 2012, Anthony Rizzo was acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the San Diego Padres. (NBC Sports)

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That's all for this Saturday, Lakeview! See you tomorrow for more neighborhood news.

— Georgi Presecky