🌱 Fire At Golden Dagger + Omicron Variant + Giving Tuesday

Good morning, Lakeview! Thanks for starting your Tuesday with Patch.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny and milder. High: 47 Low: 34.

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Here are the top stories today in Lakeview:

1. Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Monday the city is keeping a close eye on reports about the omicron variant of COVID-19. The health department continues to urge vaccination, boosters and mask-wearing to slow the spread of all variants. (NBC5)

2. Lincoln Park music venue Golden Dagger sustained “serious damage” after a Thanksgiving Day fire. Patrons have raised more than $23,000 on GoFundMe to help workers at the 127-year-old building at 2447 N. Halsted St. (Eater)

3. Augie's Booze and Schmooze will close Tuesday to undergo a year’s worth of renovations. New owner Isabelle Nigro said she wants to “keep the same kind of cool neighborhood vibe” of the neighborhood bar, a favorite at the holidays. (Block Club)

4. It’s Giving Tuesday! Block Club Chicago has a guide to giving locally this holiday season, from Lakeview Pantry to the Edgewater COVID-19 Mutual Aid Network. (Block Club)

5. Greater Chicago Food Depository CEO Kate Maehr said the need for food this season is "unprecedented, unrivaled, staggering, sobering." The number of families who rely on the pantry for food assistance has jumped more than 40 percent since before the pandemic. (ABC7)

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Today in Lakeview:

• Music trivia at The Rambler. (7 p.m.)
• See Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas show. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Donations to Lakeview Pantry will be doubled today. (Facebook)
• Jury selection is underway in the Jussie Smollett trial. (WBEZ)
• “Vaccine” is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year. (WGN)
• Temperatures could rise into the 50s in Chicago by the end of this week. (Patch)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Love Legacies, Photography by David Sutton (December 1)
• What Should Parents Look For in a Preschool {Webinar} (December 1)
• First Saturday Evanston Art Events (December 4)
• Evanston Made Birthday Bash (December 4)
• Menorah Lighting with NEWCITY and Chabad Lincoln Park (December 5)
• Music Of The Baroque and Christmas Carols (December 11)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 14)
• Add your event

Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow for more news.

— Georgi Presecky

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