THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"The pH Comedy Theater is thrilled to host this year's Andersonville Honors, and our actors plan to take guests through a night of improv, games, jokes, music, and more," said pH Executive Director Brett Mannes. The pH Comedy Theater is also nominated for an Honors award this year in the "Arts Organization/Business of the Year" category.

Several Andersonville businesses are nominated for the first time this year, particularly those up for the "Welcome Addition Award" for best new business of 2016. These include Bar Roma ( 5101 N Clark ), DeFloured Bakery ( 1477 W Balmoral ), Goddess and Grocer ( 5318 N Clark ), Middle East Bakery's Café ( 1512 W Foster ), and TrueNorth ( 5507 N Clark ).

Along with entertainment by The pH Comedy Theater, each ticket purchase also includes food provided by Hamburger Mary's and Andersonville Brewing, one drink ticket per guest with additional cash bar, access to an interactive raffle, and the opportunity to help decide the "Audience Choice Award," a $250 cash prize awarded to one of the finalists from event sponsor, Bridgeview Bank.

"There's no greater joy than engaging with our neighbors in a fun way," said Mannes, "and the Honors celebration lets us do just that!"

Votes for the 2017 Andersonville Honors may be cast now through Friday, March 17 at Noon CST online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/AvilleHonorsFinal2017. Voters are encouraged to vote in the following categories:

2017 Andersonville Honors Finalists:

1. Welcome Addition Award ( Best new business in 2016 )

a. Bar Roma

b. Defloured Bakery

c. Goddess and Grocer

d. Middle East Bakery Café

e. TrueNorth Café

2. Good Neighbor Award

a. Brown Elephant Resale

b. Hamburger Mary's

c. Hopleaf

d. Jameson Loves Danger

e. Lady Gregory's

3. Arts Organization/Arts Business of the Year

a. Andersonville Galleria

b. Gus Giordano Dance School

c. The Neo-Futurists

d. The pH Comedy Theater

e. Transistor

4. Service Business of the Year ( nominations resulted in tie for 6 nominations )

a. Cheetah Gym

b. North Side Federal Savings & Loan

c. RE: chiropractic + wellness

d. Restoration Salon

e. Revive Massage Therapy & SPA

f. Sine Qua Non Salon

5. Best Place to Eat

a. Big Jones

b. Calo Restaurant

c. Lady Gregory's

d. Little Bad Wolf

e. Vincent

6. Best Place to Drink ( nominations resulted in tie for 6 nominations )

a. Appellation

b. Elixir Lounge

c. Hopleaf

d. Lady Gregory's

e. Replay Andersonville

f. Simon's Tavern

7. Best Place to Shop

a. Brown Elephant Resale

b. Foursided

c. Milk Handmade

d. Transistor

e. Women & Children First

8. Hidden Gem Award

a. Alley Cat Comics

b. Defloured Bakery

c. First Slice Pie Café

d. Middle East Bakery

e. Woolly Mammoth

At the event, the Chamber will also present the eco-Andersonville Award, for a business or organization that has invested the most in the past year to lessen its carbon footprint, and the Mathiasson Community Service Award, given to an individual who most exemplifies devotion and commitment to the ongoing vitality of the Andersonville community.

Information will continue to be updated about the 2017 Andersonville Honors online at andersonville.org .

Finalists were nominated by the community in an open survey conducted from February 20 - March 6, 2017. Businesses were eligible for nomination if they are an Andersonville Chamber Member OR if they fall within the Andersonville neighborhood boundary lines: ( N — Victoria, S — Ainslie, W — Ravenswood, E — Magnolia ).

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce fosters a vibrant environment in which Andersonville businesses can thrive by attracting a diverse customer base; providing business support services and advocacy; and engaging in business attraction, long-range planning, and economic development.