Exciting happenings in our neighborhood schools. We will also have past announcements submitted by the schools on our Education Update website until after the date of the event has passed. Did you know that all of the schools in the ward have "Friends of ..." groups? Their members are folks who are parents, community members, businesses and neighbors who work, volunteer, raise funds and are generally committed to helping the schools improve. Some of these are new groups, others are decades old; they all welcome new members.

Enjoy a beautiful Walk through Lincoln Square! ... a juried showcase of local artists in a rich variety of mediums and venues organized to highlight the vibrant artistic community and bring art to people where they live, play, work and shop. From October 19 thru 21, FRI-­10/19 5-­9, SAT-­10/20 10-­7, SUN-­10/21 12-­5, along Western, Lincoln and Leland Avenues--see the map here.

• October 19 Friday 7-8PM, Essanay Studios/St. Augustine College, 1345 W. Argyle 

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.

Volunteer Opportunity. In case any of you good souls are available this Saturday, we are looking for a few more volunteers to  help with the 47th Ward Recycling Event, anytime during the day--Saturday, October 20th from 8am - 2pm. Electronics will be collected there, the 47th Ward Streets & Sanitation Yard, 5333 N. Western Avenue. And if you know any high school student who needs community service hours, send them our way! Contact dara@chicago47.org or 773-868-4747.    

Also, neighbors are cleaning up the alley under the L tracks on the 4500 Block of Wolcott, from Sunnyside to Wilson, Saturday, October 20th from 12-4pm.  Bring tools to cut down weeds and join in the fun!

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.

Check out the infrastructure map on our webpage!

Sewer Mains for Wolcott and Ravenswood

City Contractor is making connection to the existing sewer at the intersection of Addison and Wolcott. The work will be done in late November. In early December, City crew will start installation of sewer pipes on Wolcott (Addison to Bradley) and Ravenswood (Belmont to Roscoe). The installation will be completed by the end of February and restoration will follow in Spring 2013.  

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 by mid-November.

Peoples Gas Main Replacement (Restoration) 

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 at Montrose and Ravenswood will have a FULL CLOSURE from in the near future to install drilled shafts on the North Side of Montrose.   May be as soon as next week.  Please check our infrastructure page for updates.   
• 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.