Each month in summer an outdoor family-friendly movie is featured for the folks in our community. Two hours before dusk, the music starts, free BBQ is served, lawn games are enjoyed, all while people chat and mingle. After dusk, the outdoor cinema rolls. Yes - there is even an industrial sized outdoor popcorn machine. The lawn space is located at Bethany UCC, 4250 N Paulina. Free parking in the lot of Ravenswood Elementary, a nice perk when you're bringing blankets, folding chairs, etc.

Congratulations to 47th Ward winners in Chicago Magazine's August issue.

The Buzz:  City Market & Grill     

1467 W. Irving Park Road

The Best of Shopping--Hostess Gifts: Hazel

1902 W. Montrose

The Best Pizza:  Spacca Napoli Pizzeria

1769 W. Sunnyside

5 Best Classes for Tots: Music for Babies/Merry Music Makers                   

3759 N. Ravenswood

The #1 Big Idea ... How to Make Chicago Even Better

Implement Creative Solutions to Chicago's Traffic Headaches

Revamp Lake Shore Drive

Submitted by the 47th Ward's own:       

Randy Neufeld, Director of the SRAM Cycling Fund

Board Member of Active Transportation Alliance

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center at 4740 N. Western Avenue celebrates German American Elvis Presley on August 17, Friday at 7:30PM.  Michael St. Angel, the Windy City Elvis, performs in the Skyline Lounge with no cover.  All guests will receive leis and have the opportunity to purchase Toast Hawaii - a German sandwich created in the 1950's when Germany and the United States were gripped with Hawaii fever.  Full bar available with Blue Hawaiis on special. A Stammtisch is the regulars' table in a restaurant - a standing date for friends to meet.

The Japanese American Service Committee is a great organization located in the 47th Ward.  To learn more about what's happening, please see their newsletter.

Check out the new infrastructure map on our webpage!

W. Eastwood Avenue from Damen to Leavitt

The Dept. of Water Management (DWM) will begin their work replacing the old 1891 water main under Eastwood Avenue between Damen and Leavitt. The work is schedule to be completed by late August.  To see the residents' notice click here. 

N. Wayne Avenue from Irving Park to 600 Feet South

The sewer main under the 3900 block of Wayne Avenue is currently being replaced by DWM private contractors and the concrete base course has been laid at the road is open to traffic.  Other utilities are finalizing their connections under Irving Park Rd and lanes are detoured.  The final restoration will be scheduled once all the final work has been completed. To see the residents' notice click here. 

Peoples Gas Main Replacement

Construction crews from Peoples Gas and their contractor Northern Pipeline continue their multi-year gas main replacement project in the 47th Ward. Sod has now been laid (grass seed in some instances) in a number of areas throughout the ward to restore damage to city parkways. Please remember the tips on our website to care for your sod once it has been installed. 

Metra Track and Bridge Construction along Ravenswood 

• Montrose: Frame, Reinforce and Pour Abutments; unforeseen delays in concrete work have caused the closure to be extended
• Wilson: Install Structural Steel
• West Side Ravenswood- Irving Park to Berteau (Wall 9): Drill, Set and Pour Soldier Beams/Install Lagging
• West Side Ravenswood- Grace to Irving Park (Wall 10): Demo existing crib wall
• Lawrence: Install Temporary Platform (in Sears Parking Lot) and Install SOE

Metra Traffic Closures and Detours 

• Montrose full closure will continue through 7/24/12 (weather delay) 
• Lawrence Partial Closure on 7/21/12 - One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and one sidewalk will remain open.     
• Wilson Detours will continue until August 2012.
• Irving Park to Berteau Detours will be up until November 2012.
• Grace to Irving Park Detours will be up until November 2012.
• Parking has been restricted between the CTA tracks and Ravenswood on all streets from Grace to Berteau to accommodate u-turns while the road is closed.  The south side of Bernice has parking restrictions from Lincoln to Ravenswood to accommodate two-way traffic until Ravenswood is reopened.

Don't forget to swing by the Welles Park Advisory Council and Therapeutic Recreation Group booths in the Kids Zone of Square Roots.  Your support helps many of the programs, concerts and special events at Welles Park