Your Toddlin' Town Evanston's concert violinist Vincent Skowronski just received the exciting news from Rome: He has been granted a private audience with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican on Wednesday. He'll be accompanied by his pianist, Saori Chiba. In skimming through the book, Chicago Sketches: Urban Tales, Stories and Legends by June Skinner Sawyers, we came across some interesting tidbits that Chicagoans should know. In 1886, for example, Chicago was considered America's most radical city ... Chicago once was the film capital of the world. (The Essanay Studio located in Uptown in the early 1900s featured such stars as Gloria Swanson, Charlie Chaplin, Frances X. Bushman and Billy Bronco Anderson.) THAT THE PIONEERING social worker Jane Addams once was regarded as "the most dangerous woman in America." (Because of her radical ideas in solving social problems. Later she was revered for her efforts.) ... That on the morning of March 22, 1861, Chicago awoke without a police force. (Mayor John Wentworth, in a terrble fit of anger, fired the entire force of 60 officers. He was ousted from office shortly thereafter.) THAT CHICAGO RECEIVED its nickname, The Windy City, during the days leading up to the World's Columbian Exposition. (An envious New York newspaper pinned that name on our city because of its extreme boosterism in behalf of the 1893 exposition, also known as a world's fair.) CHICAGO ONCE gained dubious fame as the "book-burning" capital of the world. (Mayor "Big Bill" Thompson was so anti-British that any book disagreeing with his position was banned. Thompson also promised at one time "to punch the king of England on his snoot.") THAT THE GREATEST local maritime disaster occurred in the placid Chicago River in 1915 when more than 800 people drowned. (Western Electric employees, gathered for picnic aboard the Eastland cruiser, caused it to capsize when too many moved

Mr. Skowronski Ms. Chiba to one side of the ship.) ... And John Lennon made the "public apology of the year" in 1966 at the Astor Hotel. (He apologized to the world for stating the Beatles were more popular than Jesus.) Now Hear This Sidney Poitier checks into town on Nov. 12 to start filming "To Sir With Love 2" and will finish on Dec. 13. ... Navy Pier chose an appropriate date, Veterans Day next Saturday, to dedicate the eight-ton anchor of the USS Chicago. The anchor will become a permanent exhibit at the pier. Harold Berc and Sam Sax of the USS Chicago Foundation will speak ... Popular Bill O'Rourke will serve as grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, March 16 ... Arsenio Hall guests Monday on David Letterman's show, originating in L.A. That will be Hall's first TV appearance since leaving his own show. Curtain Going Up Gary Sinise, Steppenwolf's wunderkind, was negotiating a contract to start filming, "Without Remorse," based on Tom Clancy's best-selling novel, only to learn the movie has been canceled. The financial problems of Savoy Studio reportedly were the reason ... The humorous "I Hate Hamlet" comes to the Royal-George on Nov. 18. ... Another awards show is scheduled Monday at Drury Lane in Oak Brook where the Joe Jefferson award winners will be announced.