We have created a new "Adoptables" section of the 47th Ward's website , where monthly we will feature dogs and cats from local shelters in our neighborhood that are looking for their forever homes.  

All of this information is  under "Animal Issues" on our website. As we all know there is a huge issue in our city and our country with people who believe that pets are a throw-away item. The groups and agencies that you will read about in the adoptables report are just a few of the places where you can find these lovable dogs and cats who are ready for their "forever homes."

If you would like additional information on any of the items below, please check our website. 

Lake View High School: Dr. Werner, LVHS principal, issued a report on the state of the high school.  Click here to view her report. 

Waters School: Waters 2nd Annual Food Drive for The Common Pantry and Lakeview Pantry.  Please bring food donations to your child's classroom between by Friday, December 14.   

DRINKING WINE IS GOOD FOR THE SCHOOL!  Through the end of December, the Wine Discount Center will donate 10% of ALL WATERS SCHOOL SALES to the school. This includes both in-store and online purchases! Enjoy amazing wines at low prices and raise money for our school. Visit the store on Elston Avenue; mention "Waters" at checkout; join their email list and 10% of your purchase will be donated to Waters School. You may also do your shopping online! Just register on the Wine Discount website.

Ravenswood School: There are still spots available in the Tuition-Based Pre-K Program at Ravenswood Elementary for this school year - 2012-2013! The preschool program is play-based. This means that we understand children learn best through play, or, as some people put it, "play is a child's work."  Embedded in our classroom routines, toys, games, and activities is a wealth of learning opportunities helping children build foundations in literacy, math, science, social studies, music, and art. If you are interested in learning more or applying to Ravenswood's TBPK please contact: Yeliz Zurawic (TBPK teacher) 773.534.5994 or Molly Mehl (TBPK teacher)

McPherson School: Friends of McPherson encourages you to send your child to McPherson Elementary.  To get involved with the school or to learn about their great programs, please visit the Friends of McPherson website.  

Is there anything you want folks to know about your school? Please send along your information; we will publish it in our newsletter, then it will be on our website until the date(s) has passed.  

December is a busy time of year for everyone with guests visiting. If you need daily residential guest passes, now is the time to visit the Chicago City Clerk's office at room 107 of City Hall or the North Side Satellite Office at 5430 W. Gale Street, near Lawrence & Milwaukee. You may also order your passes online (returning purchasers only, first time guest pass buyers must do so in person). Remember that you can only purchase 30 passes, two books, per address in a 30-day period. Guest passes are $8 for a set of 15. When purchasing in person, bring a photo ID and proof of current address. Satisfactory proof includes having your current address listed on your photo ID, a mortgage/lease, utility bill, cable bill or phone bill with your name listed

New Car for the Holidays? Don't Forget to Transfer or Purchase Your City Sticker Within 30 Days!

Are you taking advantage of the end of the year car sales? Or, maybe you are buying a new car for someone special? Don't forget that within 30 days of buying the car you either need to transfer your old 2012 - 2013 city sticker or buy a new one!

To Transfer Sticker From Old Car to New Car: You must bring in your old city sticker peeled from the windshield of your previous car. Yes, it will likely break apart into pieces, but bring it into one of our offices in whatever condition. Also bring with you your new vehicle bill of sale or registration and a photo ID or driver's license. This transaction can be done at our City Hall Office or our 2 Satellite Offices. There is a $20 transfer fee and any applicable vehicle upgrade charges may apply, such as going from a passenger to a large passenger vehicle.

New Vehicle Purchase, Never Had a 2012 - 2013 City Sticker: Bring with you your new vehicle bill of sale or registration and a photo ID or driver's license. If you require residential parking on your city sticker and your current zoned address is not on your driver's license you must bring satisfactory proof of your current address using a mortgage/lease, utility bill, cable bill or land line phone bill with your name on it. This transaction can be done at any sales location. Please remember you only have 30 days from the date of the purchase of the new car to complete either transaction. A list of prorated city sticker fees, valid through Dec. 31, 2012. More information can be found on the City Clerk's website .

During the holiday season, Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) collects hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves to hand out to neighbors in need.  This year, RCS will distribute the warm items on December 20th at the Tuesday Night Food Pantry and Community Kitchen. Chicago's winter is long and cold, and many of our neighbors need help to stay warm.  Please consider donating new or handmade warm accessories for your neighbors this year.  Adult sized hats, mitten, and gloves are needed most for this distribution.

Please drop off your donations at Alderman Pawar's office by Tuesday, December 11.

For more information about Ravenswood Community Services, to make other donations, and to volunteer please visit their website at  or contact the RCS office at 773-769-0282.

Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) provides hunger and poverty relief, health services, and life skills education in the Ravenswood and Uptown neighborhoods.  In 1993, RCS began handing out bags of groceries to about 20 neighbors through the front doors of All Saints' Episcopal Church.  Today, this vibrant non-profit serves about 350 neighbors each week and implements strategic neighborhood change through its feeding programs and through a partnership with Ravenswood School.

Thanks to all of the folks who made our Community Conversation on Aging in the 47th Ward and Beyond so informative and enjoyable. Phil Ponce, our esteemed moderator, was insightful, asking just the right questions of our 5 panelists, all of whom shared their perspectives on remaining active, staying connected, continuing to learn new things and giving back to their community.

We want to shout out a big THANK YOU to The Old Town School of Folk Music, Forward Chicago, Robyn Golden, Phil Ponce and the informative panel of neighbors who made the Community Conversation on Aging in the 47th Ward & Beyond such a hit!

We all learned what it takes to be the best we can be as we age here in our wonderful neighborhood. If you or anyone you know is 55 years of age or better - who wants to remain active, involved, engaged and influential. Please contact Dara@chicago47.org or call 773-868-4747.

A member of the Addison Street Community Church at the corner of Addison and Hamilton, came in to the office this week and tells us he is happy to report the laminated signs we gave him to remind folks about the leash law and picking up after their dog.   They report this has really solved that problem on the parkways near the church. They highly recommend posting the signs, but remember to only post them on private property.  If you would like signs, please stop by our office.

We received several requests from around the ward to help bring Christmas to families who are in need in our community. These items will be collected here in our office and we will distribute them to the various schools, pantries and Toys for Tots. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated. You are what make this wonderful neighborhood what it is.

• Neighborhood schools have identified many families who are in very dire need this Christmas. We are collecting gift cards ($25 & $50) for these families. Some suggestions would be: grocery stores, Target, Sears (by 12/16)
• Warm hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for neighborhood pantry clients; especially in dark colors for adults (by 12/12).
• Canned hams for Christmas food packages (by 12/12).
• Toys for Tots (by 12/14)

Volunteers Needed for Senior Christmas Luncheon. Alderman Pawar and Northcenter Chamber of Commerce will be bringing holiday cheer to our ward's revered seniors on Friday, December 21, 2011, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church 2215 W. Irving Park Rd. If you are free for an hour or two between 7AM and 1PM or if you want to spend the day with us, we need help to set tables and serve the seniors lunch, please call Dara at 773-868-4747 or email dara@chicago47.org.

Your participation would be greatly appreciated! I promise, you'll have fun!

Plan for a Happy Healthy Holiday for Furry Friends. Please click here for more information. 

Home Depot Energy vouchers available. Call or email Dara for more information.

Check out the infrastructure map on our webpage!

Water Main for Leavitt 

City contractor will be replacing the 1895 water main under Leavitt St. from Irving Park to Montrose.  The work will begin in mid-December and should be completed by early March 2013.

Water Mains for Hermitage and Paulina

City crews from the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the 19th century mains under Hermitage from Byron to Grace and under Paulina from Grace to Irving Park.  The installation should be completed by the end of December and restoration will follow in Spring 2013.   

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 have replaced this old 1894 main.  The main work is completed and the road is now open.  We are working to coordinate restoration with the rest of the work in this area.  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 parkway permeable pavers is delayed until spring.  Curb and gutter was completed however the parkway will be filled with a temporary concrete in locations that the pavers were not completed so that they will not create a hazard over the winter.

Peoples Gas Main Replacement (Restoration Phase) 

All of the mains and services in our area are now installed!  Peoples Gas and their contractors are working hard to get all of the restoration done by the end of this month. They may have some work that will have to wait until Spring.  Come Christmas, if there is pending work on your block, please call our office so we can make sure it is on their list. We anticipate all restoration on Irving Park, Montrose, Western and Lincoln being completed by mid-December.    

Metra Traffic Closures and Detours 

• The bridge at Foster and Ravenswood is CLOSED until 12/21/2012 to install the drilled shafts at the abutments.
• The bridge at Winnemac will be CLOSED between 11/30/2012 and 12/31/2012 to install the bridge.
• The bridge at Leland will be CLOSED until 12/28/2012 for brace installation.  
• Irving Park to Berteau detours will be up intermittently through Mid December.
• Grace to Irving Park detours will be up intermittently through early December.
• Sidewalks on the south side of Irving Park at Ravenswood will be CLOSED until December 14, 2012
• 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 has been restricted from 15' south of Leland, north to Lawrence Ave. through December.
• 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.