Would you like an internship opportunity right in your own community? Check these out!

American Indian Center. Here are two unpaid internships for a unique learning experiences.  

Internship 1 involves tutoring/mentoring with our summer program, helping with our garden and urban explorer program, and assisting with research and documentation. Email Cythnia Soto, Director of Education, at cynthia@aic-chicago.org.  

Internship 2 involves exploration into Grant writing and individual giving support, admin assistant for grant management and communication special programs for Public relations. Contact David Spencer dave@aic-chicago.org.

ArtReach. We are always accepting interns and volunteers from a broad array of fields and interests. We have had interns from North Shore Country Day High School, School of the Art Institute, Columbia, Loyola, UIC, University of IL at Champaign Urbana, Indiana University, Berea College, and more. Their fields have ranged from Social Work, to Art Therapy, to Fine Arts, to Design, to Non-profit management. Interested parties can contact the director about internships here.

Jane Addams Resource Corporation. We have internships available for social work and nursing students.  We also have internships available for people wanting more experience in nonprofit management, accounting, fundraising and marketing. Contact Susan Tybon at stybon@jasc-chicago.org.

Chicago Mosaic School. We offer arts-related experience including some front-end office work as well. The internship is unpaid position. Prefer college student. Contact the Chicago Mosaic School at info@chicagomosaicschool.com.

Chainlink Bicycle Community Website. This communications and marketing internship is with Chicago's only online community and social network that serves to connect Chicago area cyclists,  www.thechainlink.org. Over 8,500 members share their rides, purchases, events and experiences on the site. We are looking for a smart and highly motivated communications intern to help us with our marketing, press and general online community management projects and membership outreach.  This is an excellent opportunity for a creative self-starter to make a difference at the ground level of an exciting local community platform. Responsibilities include: writing press releases and pitches, sharing and connecting with partners via facebook and twitter, event planning, member outreach, data research, light graphic design and website content enhancements. The ideal candidate will work well autonomously and have an organized approach to accomplishing tasks, possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, be fluent in how to use social media as a promotion tool, be articulate with proper and professional phone and email etiquette and have basic html and css coding knowledge. Preference is given to applicants with an interest in PR and marketing, have at least 2 years of college credit, live in the Chicago area, enjoying cycling and have a passion for community building. $400 stipend will be given at the end of this 120 hour internship. There is an 8 hour minimum requirement per week. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and optional writing sample to: interns@thechainlink.org.

Afterschool Matters Summer at Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club. Our program is growing and we need YOU! ASM Summer Interns are responsible for assisting the Site Director with the daily operations of our Summer program. Responsibilities include: keeping youth safe, helping to build a sense of community, supervising and leading recreational activities and chaperoning field trips. Candidates must work well with a team and respond well to supervision and re-direction. Program Dates: June 26th - August 23rd. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Must be 16 - 18 years old. Rate of pay: $8.25 hr. Stipend. Please contact Maria Gomez at 773-463-4161 ext 117 or maria@nbgc.org for additional information. Deadline June 3.

Program Volunteers at Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club. For All Ages! Responsibilities include: keeping youth safe, helping to build a sense of community, supervising and leading recreational activities, assisting youth with their academic homework, chaperoning field trips on school days off and summer. Candidates must work well with a team and respond well to supervision and re-direction. Earn your Community Service Learning Hours by helping out the NBGC! Please contact Tim Mondl at 773-463-4161 ext 112 or timmondl@nbgc.org for additional information.

Alliance for the Great Lakes. See available internship positions online at www.greatlakes.org/internships. Currently, we have the following positions open: Dale Bryson Water Quality Intern - Fall 2013 and Education Intern-2013. We also have the following job opportunities available: Stewardship Coordinator; September Adopt-a-Beach Assistant 2013, Minnesota; and Adopt-a-Beach Assistant 2013, Michigan. 

Lincoln Square/Thursdays 4 pm - 8 pm

Jun. 6 - Oct. 31, 2013

Lincoln/Leland/Western (City Parking Lot adjacent to Brown Line Station)

Lincoln Square/Tuesdays 7 am - 1 pm

Jun. 4 - Oct. 29, 2013

Lincoln/Leland/Western (City Parking Lot adjacent to Brown Line Station)

Northcenter/Saturdays 7 am - 1 pm

Jun. 15 - Oct. 26, 2013

Belle Plaine/Damen/Lincoln (North Center Town Square)

Argyle/Thursdays 4 pm to 8 pm

Jun. 27 - Sep. 19, 2013

W. Argyle, N. Broadway to N. Kenmore

Uptown/Thursdays 7:30 am - 12:30 pm

Jun. 20 - Oct. 24, 2013

4646 N. Marine Dr (Weiss Hospital)

Andersonville/Wednesdays 3 pm - 8 pm

June 5 - Oct. 16, 2013

W. Berwyn between N. Clark & N. Ashland

Edgewater/Sunday 8 am - 1 pm

June 15 - Oct. 12, 2013

6034 N. Broadway (on W. Norwood side)

Loyola/Mondays 3 pm - 7 pm

June 10 - Oct. 14, 2013
SW Corner of W. Albion & N. Sheridan  

Curious about the firehouse at Eastwood and Seeley? Well, you're not the only one. After sitting empty for nearly five years, it was recently sold through a bidding process late last year to a young couple and their 8 month old son. The owners, Eric and Irene, are excited to move into the neighborhood - relocating from nearby Lakeview - but very excited to transform this old firehouse into a single family residence. Eric, an interior designer, had been looking for a unique building to turn into a dream home when he was informed by a friend in the area of the abandoned firehouse. After almost two years of communication with the city they were awarded high bid and are now in the process of transforming the building into a house. The plans are to keep the facade as original as possible and many of the interior features - glazed tile walls, a communal bathroom with three stalls and original doors. Although the firepole has long since been removed, the intentions are to put one back in the existing opening. The owners say this tends to be the first question asked when told they are rehabbing an old firehouse. Along with local architect Odile Compagnon and contractor Robert Berg with Foster Design Build, they are hoping to move in sometime early 2014.

Prak-SisContemporary Art Association is pleased to announce Axis 2013 International Art Festival, Prak-Sis Annual Art Festival from May 3rd to 5th. This festival, subtitled Royal&Loyal, will take place in the Northcenter neighborhood at the Ravenswood Event Center. There will be a volunteer meeting at 1 pm and 4 pm on Saturday, April 26, at 1917 W. Irving Park Rd. RSVP your interest at 773-715-4171.

The AXIS International Art Festival is intent and focused on becoming a leading international contemporary art institution in an array of multimedia art disciplines; strives to respect traditional art practices while examining new media with educational overtones; is launching a community based art festival in Chicago which stands to anchor important art initiatives for years to come; and shall bridge the gap between cultures, generations and educational themes and intends on becoming an important entity in the international contemporary art scene.  

3715-21 N. Leavitt Street / 2155 W. Bradley Place

Nominator/Owner: Ron Abrams, Vela LLC

General Contractor: Steve Kropornicki, Northern Heritage

Real Estate Agent: Sam Gross, Landstar

Vela, LLC is located in the heart of Chicago's St. Ben's neighborhood. After enduring years of neglect and deferred maintenance, the building's units were transformed to live well for the century ahead. Central heat and washer-dryers were installed. Kitchen upgrades included stainless steel and granite; bathrooms gained spa-like tile and features. The floors were sanded and brought back to their grandeur of almost 100 years ago. Tenants are now well-served with an open layout and amenity filled units. 

4257 N. Lincoln Avenue

Nominator/Owner: Gabriel Magliaro, Half Acre Beer Company

Architect: SPACE Architects + Planners

In this project, a shuttered office became an extension of the growing Half Acre Brewery. A long-time part of Chicago's North Center neighborhood, the new Tap Room invites the public to sample beers brewed on-site.

4710 N. Damen Avenue

Nominator/Owner: Chris Irwin Ron Abrams, GPA 4710 LLC

Financing: Mary Choy, American Metro Bank

This property was transformed in 2012. Prior to rehabilitation, the commercial unit housed an overcrowded antique/junk store. It was emptied, gutted, cleaned and renovated to house a bike shop from Denver, making its Chicago debut. The renovation highlights the building's original 1920's ceiling tiles and trim, as well its newly refinished, original hardwood floors. Two dwelling units were also renovated to include granite and stainless kitchens, spa baths and gleaming hardwood floors. A rear coach house was spruced-up to include a cleaned-up common area.

2115 W. Warner

Nominator/Owner: Kirk Wagenbach & Siv Sjoholm

General Contractor: Ronan Construction, LLC

Architect:  360 Design Studio

Real Estate Agent: Emily Connolly, Joyce & Kerrigan Real Estate

We want everyone to know about the parent/teacher/community initiatives and excellent education options that are available in our neighborhood schools. Here are some of what's happening at two of our schools. Please send information about your school to us and we will help "toot" your horn!

Waters School. Please check out all of the creative work that is going on at Waters School. One of the many schools in the ward where dedicated parents, community members and teachers are creating a stellar environment for children. 

German School Chicago Building Purchase. The GSC Board announced Thursday, April 25, that GSC has purchased our current location, 1447 W. Montrose Ave.  As Board President Mariam Pahl explained in the press release, "The acquisition of the property helps us achieve our objective of establishing German School Chicago as a leading educational institution in Chicago. It secures our future and offers families the security that we will be here throughout their children's educational development." GSC had previously been leasing a portion of the building space from Asian Human Services; we now own the whole space and look forward to expanding into several new classrooms in the 2013-2014 school year!

Spring has Sprung! Xochitl, of the Ravenswood Neighbors Association Gardening Group, and I just took a tour of some of the lovely, corner and parkway gardens in the River Path Neighbors and Greater Rockwell Organization neighborhoods in the Ward. If you need a reason to start planting on the corner of your block or parkway or perhaps you are looking for inspiration for what to plant, take a walk or ride to look at what some of our neighbors have planted. We have lots of resources for you.

Act of Kindness. Kudos and thanks to City of Chicago Animal Care & Control for their kind, quick response to Mrs. W, one of our seniors (she is 90 yrs. young) who was in need of help with a beloved, elderly pet. The CACC sent a sensitive, caring field officer within a very short time to help during an extremely difficult time. See this month's "Adoptables" for pets that need forever homes.

Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club needs Administrative & Special Event Volunteers. Age 16+. The NBGC has many openings for talented individuals who enjoy working on projects such as direct mailings, light office work, light handyman work, painting, organizing, grant writing, fundraising calls and event volunteers. To volunteer please contact Bonnie Werstein at 773-463-4161 ext 113 or bonnie@nbgc.org.

Employing Vets. For any Vets in our community struggling with unemployment---this is the first of a five part series prompted by Arianna Huffington's initiative to keep the spotlight on vets who need jobs. Please pass along to anyone who might find this useful. Finding Work When There Are No Jobs, written by long-time 47th Ward resident Roger Wright, is a revolutionary way of thinking about finding employment.   

Recycling Makes a Difference. I want to thank those of you of took part in the 47th Ward recycling drop-off on our clean-and-green day. Over four tons of paper, cardboard, plastic and electronics were collected. Just the amount of paper collected for recycling would save 33 trees from being cut down for the paper mill factories.

Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program. Now's the time to get rebates for trees, native plants, compost bins and rain barrels! See www.SustainableBackyards.org.