🌱 North Side Liquor Stores Robbed + Metro Cancels Concert

Hello, Lakeview! Let's get to the neighborhood news for Thursday.

First, today's weather: Turning sunny; windy, cooler. High: 46 Low: 31.

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Here are the top stories in Lakeview today:

1. A clerk at a Lakeview smoke shop was pepper sprayed by robbers Tuesday. No one is in custody for the attack in the 3400 block of North Halsted. (ABC)

2. A 26-year-old driver is in critical condition after crashing into a light pole in Wrigleyville Wednesday. The accident occurred around 2 a.m. near Addison and Clark streets, according to Chicago police. (Newsbreak)

3. Several smash-and-grab robberies were reported at North Side liquor stores Wednesday. Police are investigating a break-in in the 3600 block of North Ashland Avenue in Lakeview. Other stores were targeted in Ravenswood and Rogers Park. (CBS)

4. Metro canceled Tuesday night’s Glorious Sons concert in the name of “maintaining precautionary health and safety measures for the staff.” The Clark Street venue did not specify if the cancellation was related to COVID-19. (CBS)

5. Chicago Public Schools will distribute 150,000 at-home COVID-19 tests to students ahead of winter break. The district is asking families to test on Dec. 28 and send in results to protect students from a potential post-holiday surge. (Chalkbeat)

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Today in Lakeview:

• Highly anticipated sequel “Spider-Man: No Way Home” opens at Landmark Century Centre Cinema. (4 p.m.)
• See “Elf” on the big screen at Gallagher Way. (6 p.m.)
• Wit Theater puts a comedic spin on the Grinch with “Who’s Holiday.” (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Netflix will take over Lakeview bakery Maison Marcel today from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering coffee and other goodies in honor of the upcoming season of “Emily in Paris.” Season two hits the streaming service Dec. 22. (Netflix)
• NBC is ranking the best holiday pop-up bars in Wrigleyville Wonderland. (NBC)
• Moe’s Cantina is selling tickets for its “Wrigley New Year’s Eve.” (Eventbrite)
• Diver at the Park has transformed to “Santa’s Beach House” for the holiday season. (Chamber)
• Thai restaurant Rosded is closed after 40 years in Lincoln Square. (Block Club)

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

— Georgi Presecky