🌱 Burglars Target Smoke Shops + Vaccine Policy 'Smooth So Far'

Hello, neighbors! Georgi Presecky here with the Wednesday Lakeview Daily.

First, today's weather: Very windy; colder. High: 24 Low: 11.

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Here are the top 4 stories today in Lakeview:

1. Three teenagers were charged with felony robbery after stealing from a Lakeview smoke shop last weekend. The group smashed the register and stole cash from Pipes & Stuff on North Clark Street. Two other area smoke shops were robbed in December, but no arrests have been made. (CWB)

2. Lakeview business owners are speaking out about Cook County’s proof of vaccination policy, which went into effect Monday. Corridor Brewing manager Greg Hammell told NBC the process has been “relatively smooth so far,” while Pequod Pizza staff said customers were “appreciative” and felt safer eating inside with the requirement. (NBC)

3. The city’s Catholic churches are seeing a 40 percent drop in Mass attendance during the pandemic, according to a Tribune report. “The new variant hit us like everyone else... all of us were hoping we’d be in a better place,” said Rev. Peter Wojcik of St. Clement’s in Lincoln Park. Despite parish hardship, Catholic school attendance is on the rise for the first time in 40 years. (Paid source: Tribune)

4. Irving Park Food Pantry is closed this week after New Year’s Eve fireworks damaged the building. The pantry inside Emmanuel Methodist Church is working to reopen for its Jan. 11 food distribution. (Block Club)

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From my notebook:

• A Sheffield and Cornelia alleyway will be closed through Feb. 4 for CTA construction. (44th Ward Office)
• Lakeview’s Landmark Century Center Cinema is asking moviegoers to arrive early to allow time for staff to check vaccination cards. (Landmark)
• The Athenaeum Theatre is rescheduling upcoming productions due to the COVID-19 surge. (Facebook)
• Cook County is establishing a 24/7 Domestic Violence Court for survivors of domestic abuse to seek orders of protection at any time of day. (Block Club)
• Lincoln Park’s WhatsGood Farm Shop is helping farmers’ market vendors to “thrive” in winter. (Eater)

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

— Georgi Presecky