With so many wonderful things going on in our 47th Ward schools we wanted to summarize these in a regular report.  We have many fine educational choices in our neighborhoods and we want to help publicize notices, events and other information about our schools. Schools-Send your notices, news, etc. to Dara. Parents & Residents-Tell us why you chose the school your child or children are attending? What would you say to a young parent thinking about their child's education? Email your answers to Dara. Let's all get the word out!

For this first report, you learn about the German School Chicago's open house and upcoming celebrations, Queen of Angels' upcoming open house, and what's happening at Ravenswood, Hamilton, North Park and Pilgrim Schools and how to help the community around them support them. All schools are involved in fundraising for special projects, classroom materials, programming, etc. There are many opportunities to show your support.  We are looking forward to showing off all of the schools in the ward!

• October 19 Friday 7-8PM, Essanay Studios/St. Augustine College
• October 17 Wednesday 5-8PM, Ward Office reception

Alderman Ameya Pawar and Patricia Larkin Green, executive director OpenWall Chicago, talk about their collaboration to convert a city government office into a community space where local artists are invited to display their work. Alderman Pawar's vision of highlighting the works of local artists in his new office was realized through the OpenWall Chicago initiative, directed by Patricia Larkin Green and co-curated by a diverse volunteer committee of art, education and business professionals. The walls of the 47th Ward office are for the ward's artists to exhibit their work, revolving art exhibits from the talented artists of the 47th Ward including an annual showcase of high school student artists. OpenWall Curator, Patricia Larkin Green said, "I was honored when the Alderman's office asked me to curate their office. This gives me an opportunity to create something meaningful for our community. I had been trying to figure out a way to make art more accessible, and this just landed in my lap. I am a fast believer that artists need a supportive community because as artists we are most vulnerable when we are taking risks. Artists need to create, to exhibit and see each other's work. Just imagine the possibilities!" "When talking with Ameya about what he had in mind, he said: 'this is how transparency looks to me, I want the office to be a place where people feel they can come inside and interact. The walls are for the Artists.' "

OpenWall Curator, Patricia Larkin Green said, "I was honored when the Alderman's office asked me to curate their office.  This gives me an opportunity to create something meaningful for our community.  I had been trying to figure out a way to make art more accessible, and this just landed in my lap.  I am a fast believer that artists need a supportive community because as artists we are most vulnerable when we are taking risks.  Artists need to create, to exhibit and see each other's work.  Just imagine the possibilities!"

"When talking with Ameya about what he had in mind, he said: 'this is how transparency looks to me, I want the office to be a place where people feel they can come inside and interact.  The walls are for the Artists.' "

OpenWall will have 4 key openings per year. Every third opening will feature students from the Ward.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, sponsor of the highly acclaimed National Theatre of Scotland's BLACK WATCH theatrical event is offering discounted tickets to their October 13, Saturday 3PM performance at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. Use promo code "NEIGHBOR" to secure $38 tickets for a savings of over 25%! Visit www.chicagoshakes.com to book online or call 312.595.5600 today. Over 600 attended opening night, and Tribune critic Chris Jones gave a four-star review.

Autumn Leaves are Falling. We urge you to help us by maintaining your parkway correctly, including keeping leaves out of the streets. Far too often, we have caught landscapers blowing leaves and debris  into the street. This is illegal in the City of Chicago. ALL of these leaves and debris must be swept up to avoid clogging sewers and drains. 
This year it will become more important to maintain sewers due to the new drain covers that have replaced the older design. The new covers, located on residential blocks have narrower openings to retain more debris. Please take the time to help keep your block clear of debris and leaves by clearing off these drain covers on a frequent basis.  Thanks for your assistance.

Be a Senior Advocate. The Chicago Area Agency on Aging in the Department of Family and Support Services is providing training to certify individuals as volunteer nursing home ombudsmen.  This will allow those who have completed the training to advocate for the residents of nursing homes in their Ward.  The training consists of 4 sessions which can be completed in an 18 month period.  Training is held at Police/Fire Headquarters at 35th and Michigan and is free.  The next training will be held on Thursday, October 18th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For more information, please contact Joyce Gallagher at (312) 746-5682 or (312) 497-3920.  This is a great program to help your most vulnerable constituents in the nursing homes.

Bioneers Conference. Alderman Ameya Pawar will speak about the 47th Ward Council and the new 47th Ward Green Council at the Bioneers Conference, November 2 to 4 at the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. The 47th Ward will also be represented by eco-activists Eli Suzukovich, Pete Leki, Julie Peterson and Elizabeth Wenscott who are bringing all their energy and vision of a sustainable future to this event. Learn more at  www.BioneersChicago.org and use the discount code "47Ward" for 20 percent off until October 19th.

Pilates Open House.  The Galter LifeCenter at 5157 N. Francisco Avenue will host an open house in our their Pilates Studio. Enjoy learning about Pilates from our experts as they demonstrate and allow you to experience our state of the art equipment in our fully equipped studio. For reservations call 773-878-6888.

Learn About Natural Childbirth. Learn about natural childbirth and nurse-midwifery philosophies from Sherri Ruerup, certified nurse-midwife and Director of Nurse-Midwifery at Swedish Covenant Hospital, at Bloom Yoga Studio 4663 N. Rockwell. Also hear from a panel of women who will discuss their experiences with childbirth. For reservations call 773-878-6888.

Check out the infrastructure map on our webpage!

Water Mains for W. Winnemac, Ashland to Ravenswood

City crews will be replacing this old 1894 main starting in October.  The project will be completed sometime in December and restoration will follow in the spring.  To see the residents' notice click here. 

Water Mains for W. Larchmont, Ravenswood to Lincoln

City crews are replacing this old 1891 main, expecting completion in early October.  To see the residents' notice click here. 

Water Mains for W. Eastwood, Damen to Leavitt

City crews are replacing this old 1891 main, expecting restoration in early October. To see the residents' notice click here. 

Irving Park Streetscape

The final phase of this 2-year streetscape construction will be installation of the new curbs and gutters, and parkway permeable pavers over the next 3 to 4 weeks.

Peoples Gas Main Replacement

Connecting the new main to individual address is ongoing on Irving Park, Lincoln and Montrose.  Peoples Gas is working on connecting the final customers to the new system.  If you haven't gotten a meter installed or had new service installed, please contact our office and we will link you with Peoples Gas.  Customers who do not make arrangements will have their gas service terminated.  We anticipate all restoration on Irving Park, Montrose, Western and Lincoln being completed by the end of November.   

The steel plates on Western at Grace, Belle Plaine, Cullom and Montrose have been removed.  Asphalt will be restored over the next weeks.  

Metra Traffic Closures and Detours 

• The bridge over Irving Park Road at Ravenswood will be have a partial closure from Wednesday, October 10th - Friday October 12th and will have a FULL CLOSURE starting at 1am until mid-morning on Saturday October 13th.
• The bridge at Montrose and Ravenswood will have a FULL CLOSURE from 10/15/2012 to 10/20/2012 to repair the drilled shafts on the North Side of Montrose.  
• The bridge at Foster and Ravenswood will have a FULL CLOSURE from 10/29/2012- 11/3/2012 to install the drilled shafts at the abutments.   
• Work on the bridge at Ravenswood and Winnemac will continue through early November. 
• Irving Park to Berteau detours will be up intermittently through early December.
• Berteau to Montrose on Ravenswood wall installation on south end of block will continue through November with parking restrictions posted as needed.  
• Grace to Irving Park detours will be up intermittently through early December.
• Waveland to Grace, east of the tracks, will have parking restrictions intermittently for the next 3 weeks and detours intermittently through early December.
• The Ravenswood Metra Station construction has begun. 
• Parking restrictions and detours may be opened, when possible, and re-closed once work is ready to resume. 

For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website  or contact Bill Higgins at bill@chicago47.org or 773-549-2745. 

Dear Alderman Pawar and the Residents of the 47th Ward:

I am still overwhelmed by the warm welcome and support of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks at Welles Park. Your neighborhood's enthusiasm for Shakespeare was astonishing-and I am truly grateful for the time we spent together in your neighborhood. Thank you for welcoming us to your park, and now I hope you will join us as we again collaborate with the Chicago Park District. From October 10 to 21, Chicago Shakespeare Theater will once again be in the neighborhoods, as we host National Theatre of Scotland's return to the nearby Broadway Armory.

Called "one of the most richly human works of art," by The New York Times, Black Watch brings the realities of war to life through the eyes of a Scottish regiment deployed to Iraq. It will return by popular demand after a sold-out run in 2011, and I encourage you to get your tickets early. I hope you will be able to experience this remarkable story-it is transcendent.

Thank you again for the support your community gives Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the culture of Chicago.  I look forward to seeing you at the Armory!