🌱 Chicago Hospitals Near Capacity + Mercury Cancels Performances

Hello, people of Lakeview! Georgi Presecky here with the latest copy of the Lakeview Daily.

First, today's weather: Mainly cloudy; breezy, milder. High: 44 Low: 38.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Lakeview today:

1. Chicago hospitals are nearing capacity as COVID-19 cases increase by 101 percent from last week. “Our health systems are likely at risk of becoming rapidly overwhelmed,” said Dr. Susan Bleasdale of the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. (Block Club)

2. Chicagoans are seeking COVID-19 tests ahead of the holidays in order to gather safely as the omicron variant surges nationwide. Block Club Chicago has tips and information about how to get tested in Lakeview. (Block Club)

3. A 30-year-old Chicago firefighter has died from injuries sustained during a Northwest Side apartment fire. MaShawn Plummer was critically burned in the Dec. 16 fire, which led to one additional death and two injuries. (Patch)

4. Lakeview’s Kitchen 17 is moving to a larger location. The Lakeview vegan deep-dish pizza place will open at 2554 W. Diversey Ave. on Dec. 31. (Eater)

5. Former Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel has sold his home in Lakeview. The 5,350-square-foot brick and limestone house sold for $2.55 million, about $50,000 over the asking price. (Paid source: Tribune)

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Today in Lakeview:

• “The Lost Daughter” opens at the Landmark. (1:15 p.m.)
• American Blues Theater presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago.” (4:30 p.m.)
• Gallagher Way hosts its final Holiday Movie Night of the season with “A Christmas Story.” (6 p.m.)
• Test your “Harry Potter” knowledge at Replay Lincoln Park’s trivia night. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Mercury Theater has postponed performances of “Sister Act” until Dec. 29 due to the COVID-19 surge. (Mercury)
• Get in the Kitchen also canceled this week’s cooking classes due to the virus. (GITK)
• The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is selling gift cards that are accepted at 50 neighborhood businesses. (Chamber)
• The fried smelts at Lakeview’s Dear Margaret made Thrillist’s list of “Chicago’s Favorite New Dishes.” (Thrillist)

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Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Save 15 Percent On FTD’s Christmas Collection (December 25)
• Chicago Scene New Year's Eve Party at The Drake Hotel (December 31)
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Announcements:

• BHHS Chicago Raises $1,142 for Lakeview Pantry (Details)
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Loving the Lakeview Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com

That's all for today, Lakeview. I will be celebrating Christmas for the rest of the week, but look forward to returning to your inbox on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Until then, please have a safe, happy and healthy holiday. Thank you for spending part of your days with me and Patch. I sincerely appreciate it.

— Georgi Presecky