After over a year of gathering community input, and revising designs and engineering drawings, the Chicago transportation department (CDOT) is preparing to construct the Berteau Greenway. The project addresses traffic concerns and by implementing traffic calming techniques to make the street safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. After reaching out and listening to neighbors at several community meetings, Alderman Pawar and his staff worked with the CDOT project team to finalize a plan that will be effective. Coordinating with Department of Water Management to avoid unnecessary and redundant work, the construction will begin in June, after the century-old water main between Ravenswood and Ashland is replaced.

The Greenway project will include:

• Contraflow bike lane for eastbound bicyclists in one-way sections
• Shared lane markings for bicyclists and motorists in two-way sections
• Signage and signalization to improve awareness and traffic flow
• Highly visible, enhanced crosswalks for pedestrians
• Curb extensions to narrow the crossing distance and infiltrate stormwater
• A reduced 20 MPH posted speed limit
• A pedestrian island will be included on Clark Street

CDOT has provided these design drawings to show you what will be built following water main installation and resurfacing.

To clarify, there will be NO CHANGE in direction of traffic or number of lanes. In the two-way sections there will NOT be separate bike lanes. Also there will be NO turn restrictions or impaired access of any kind. A design for a chicane was proposed that would have reduced Berteau to a one-lane pass in the two-way section between Honore and Wolcott but was rejected by Alderman Pawar; we believe this was too restrictive. The section of Berteau from Damen to Ravenswood WILL get shared lane markings, improved crosswalks and other signage, though this section is not detailed in the design drawings. We will monitor the effectiveness of these infrastructure elements after they are installed. 

Some of you have called since last month's record breaking rain about aid programs for the damage caused by the severe flooding. Click here for more information on accessing the federal aid program. If you have neighbors who do not have access to email, please let them know about this. Thanks.

The best way to celebrate Chicago Bike to Work Week, June 8-14, 2013, is by taking the Bike Commuter Challenge! Just sign up your company and be a Team Leader or join an existing team and start logging your trips during Chicago Bike to Work Week. It's easy, free, and most of all, fun! We'll even help you get ready for the Challenge with tips and tricks on how to ride to work. The Bike Commuter Challenge is brought to you by the  Active Transportation Alliance. Active Trans is a non-profit advocacy organization that works throughout Chicagoland to improve conditions for bicycling, walking and transit while engaging people in healthy and active ways to get around. For more information about the Bike Commuter Challenge, Active Trans, or to volunteer, please email commuter@activetrans.org, or call Maggie Melin at (312) 427-3325.

Active Kids and Detecting Breathing Disorders

Wed., May 22 at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Lauren Camarda, a pediatric pulmonary medicine physician, and Dr. Joseph Camarda, a pediatric cardiologist, both of Swedish Covenant Hospital and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, will discuss ways to identify exercise-induced asthma, common cardiac issues and how to keep your kids safe while participating in sports.

Blues Fest @ the Chicago Public Library

Barrelhouse Chuck

Sat., May 25 at 12:15 p.m.  The Chicago Public Library joins the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in pre-season concerts celebrating the 30th Annual Chicago Blues Festival being held in Grant Park, June 6-9. This year the festival theme is Rollin' Up the River celebrating the evolution of the blues from South to North up the Mississippi.

Great Books Club

Thu., May 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Comic Operas by W.S. Gilbert  

Thu., May 30 at 7:00 p.m. Come join us as we discuss some of the most important literary works ever written with classics scholar Peter Amberson. It's sure to be an enlightening experience.

Nature Spirits

Paintings by Stella Zee

May 1, 2013 through May 31, 2013 For Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, the Sulzer Library is proud to display a series of paintings by Stella Zee depicting nature as sanctuary and animals as spirit guides. The paintings will be on display for the month of May.

Book Buddies

Tuesdays, May 7 through May 21 at 4:00 p.m. Children in kindergarten through second grade are matched up with an adult volunteer. They will meet in the children's library for twenty minutes every Tuesday for eight weeks, so that the child can practice their new reading skills. Parents must register at the children's reference desk.

The Mad Hatters

Sat., May 18 at 11:00 a.m. Come have fun with the Mad Hatters, a community project of the Junior League of Chicago, as they perform books, poems and songs while wearing crazy hats to encourage each child in the audience to expand his/her mind through reading. No registration is required for this interactive children's story time for children ages three to nine and their parents.

Pre-Steam Book Club

A Black Hole Is Not a Hole by Carolyn DeCristofano

Wed., May 29 at 6:00 p.m. Please join us for a night of informational reads related to science, technology, engineering, art and math! We will begin by looking at A Black Hole Is Not A Hole, talk about some other interesting nonfiction picks, watch some book trailers and preview all the related programs coming up over the summer for pre-teens and teens. The program is intended for those ten to eighteen years old, and advance registration is required.

Author Event

City in a Garden by Julia S. Bachrach

Thu., May 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Business Event  

Crafting a Business with Steff Bomb

Saturday, June 1 at 10:00am  

Chicago artist Steff Bomb creates adorable hand crafted toys.  Her unique approach to art and her crafts have been featured on Martha Stewart, Etsy, and ModCloth. Steff has been awarded Chicago Reader Best Indie Crafter for 2011 and 2012.  Most recently, Steff was winner of TLC's Craft Wars.  Find out how Steff crafts her toys as well as creates her business and lessons of being an entrepreneur.

Questions about any of the programs? You can reach the Sulzer Regional Library at (312) 744-7616.  Want to see the listings in their entirety? They're just a click away!  

OpenWall Says Hello to a New Show

The artists of the Chicago Photography Center will grace the alderman's office next week with a reception scheduled for May 23, next Thursday from 6 to 8PM at 4243 N. Lincoln Avenue. This photography center at 3301 N. Lincoln Avenue will now be located in the 47th Ward. Come by and welcome these artists!   

A Big Thanks to Dave S., a great neighbor from the 3600 block of Oakley. Someone left a huge mess in the alley on his block. He recruited a couple of neighbors and together they cleaned it all up. Thanks, Dave & friends! If you have a good neighbor, let me know.

Lincoln Square Friendship Center has signed a lease at 2733 W. Lawrence Ave!

Friendship Pet Food Pantry will be located in this same space.  THEY NEED YOUR HELP! Please join them to clean and get it ready to serve our neighbors. 

Pantry Cleaning Days

Friday, June 7th and Monday, June 10th 

6:00pm

They are still in need of a few items for the space. If you have any of these or would like to make a donation towards them, please let them know.   

2 filing cabinets, 1 cordless telephone, 1 printer with fax capabilities, 4 round folding tables, 32 folding chairs, 2 rectangular folding tables, clothing racks.

There's a community-wide Garage/Yard Sale happening this Saturday in Roscoe Village.  Look for the balloons in front of the houses. All the details are here.

Mark your Calendar. Shakespeare Returns to Welles Park! "Comedy of Errors"; Friday, August 16th & Saturday, August 17th at 6:30pm.

Free Bags of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Warren Park Produce Mobile

6601 N. Western Avenue, Parking Lot

(No qualifications Necessary)

2nd Wednesday of Every Month                       

06/12, 07/10, 08/14, 09/11, 10/09, 11/13, 12/11

Bring in Your Old Linens.  When you clean out your linen closet please think of the abandoned pets who are awaiting their forever homes at local shelters and foster homes. Bring us your old towels, blankets and sheets and we will deliver them.