Mayor Emanuel - and Us - in Wicker Park

Photo by Patrick L. Pyszka, © 2012 City of Chicago   Just outside of Moonshine 1824 W. Division street.

The first day of Renegade this year was a gorgeous Saturday. And, as a true Wicker Parker through and through, I own dogs (rescues I might add). So I grabbed the dogs and off we went to the first day of the Renegade Craft Fair. The doors had only been open for a couple of hours so it was busy but not packed just yet.

Ironically, the first person we ran into when we landed at Division & Wood Street was Mayor Rahm Emanuel. I waved and said hi and he waved back and smiled.

He then said: Hey - don't you run the Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide? I said yes and he asked if he could have his picture taken with me and the dogs. And I of course said yes.

Okay- none of that in italic is true...here's what really happened:

I asked if I could take a picture of him and his staff said no but told me I could have a picture taken with him. So we (the dogs and I) waited patiently for our turn.  I shot the breeze with his secret service team who noted: "It's all in how they're [the dogs] are raised" when he gave a nod to my two dogs. I agreed and they too patiently waited for their turn.

When our turn arrived, I asked the photographer, Patrick L. Pyszka, if he could please make sure the dogs were included because I thought it would be fun and different ... and he did. (Thank you Patrick).

It was an unexpected and happy surprise. We love the picture, appreciate the city's support of the neighborhood and hope to see the Mayor back in Wicker Park very soon.

Thyra DeCicco - WPBIG Founder & Publisher with Mayor Emanuel and her dogs: Rainn and Jett