August 22, 2013
The 47th Ward Office will be CLOSED on Friday, August 30 and Monday, September 2
On this day in 1942 Ray Bradbury, author of Farenheit 451, was born in Waukegan.
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Dear Neighbor,
I'm happy to announce that we have had our most successful 47th Ward School Supplies Drive yet! On Tuesday, we delivered two full car loads of backpacks, notebooks, binders, paper, pens, pencils, calculators and other essential supplies to Ravenswood Community Services and Common Pantry. The supplies will be distributed to local families in need. Thank you so much for all the very generous donations!! Special thanks to the generous and creative folks who gathered with neighbors, co-workers, parent groups, and fellow parishioners to collect our largest donations of school supplies yet. Children at 1920 Warner set up a lemonade stand to benefit the School Supply Drive. Also, I want to say a very big thank you to James C. from the 47th Ward (St. Ben's 4th Grader) who volunteered for the difficult job of sorting the supplies and dividing them up for distribution.
Every year more and more of our residents and businesses have been planting native plants in their parkways and yards. Native plants (for a description see our webpage) or plants that have evolved in our region are best able to survive drought, disease, pests and climatic conditions. Because are also best at keeping the ground permeable with their deeper root structures and absorbing water, they are nicknamed "rain gardens;" indeed they will be used as part of the Lawrence Streetscape to reduce stormwater flooding at the corners.
I am also happy to announce that the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) is taking steps to ensure that property owners who have native gardens on the public way or on their property will not be ticketed for weed violations in the City code. While tickets have never been given to native plantings in the 47th Ward, there are some areas of the city where tickets have been issued erroneously and resulted in major fines to owners of native gardens. Please be aware that DSS will continue to ticket abandoned and uncared for properties, but native gardens that often look very different from traditional lawns and gardens are protected. Also, DSS will now require inspectors to attempt to make contact with property owners before issuing a ticket, and have given them training to identify these gardens. The City's Law Department will be flagging weed cutting tickets for a second look to ensure no homeowners are ticketed incorrectly for their gardens.
A big thank you to Streets and Sanitation Commissioner, Charles Williams, and his team for taking these steps to help ensure that native gardens continue to thrive in our beautiful city. And, as always, thank you to Erick Norton, the 47th Ward Superintendent, and his team, for keeping our neighborhoods so beautiful.
Sincerely,
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Upcoming
Ward Nights
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Wednesdays5:00pm to 7:15pm
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2013-2014 Residential Pickup Permits Now Available
If you drive a pickup truck or van for your personal use, you need a residential permit to park legally overnight on a residential street.
Simply bring your truck/van into the 47th Ward Office. Note your city sticker and license plate numbers. 47th Ward staff will ensure the truck is not used for commercial use and issue you a permit.
More information is available here. If you have any questions please contact the 47th Ward Office.
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LV2 Parking Stickers for Night Baseball
If you need your LV2 parking pass you can come into our office. Bring proof of residence, your license plate number and your city sticker number. More information on the LV2 parking zone can be found on our website.
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2013 Street Sweeping
The 2013 Street Sweeping Schedule is now available on our website. |
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Welcome New Business: Everlasting Fire Studio
Everlasting Fire Studio at 5036 N. Lincoln Avenue is having a grand opening on August 24, Saturday from 5 to 9PM. They offer a variety of art classes with their main and primary focus in Lampwork glass. This method involves melting rods of glass at table mounted torches to create beads, and small sculpture work. Their space is for current Lampworkers to come in and explore, as well as those unfamiliar to come and learn. They want to bring Lampworking to the public in a way that creates a true community here in Chicago. Their passion is lampwork, but they have their own other interests that they bring to the space as well. Along with classes in Lampwork, they offer some in other select art forms. They also provide a small gallery section of their space where they sell work from artists both from their studio, and locally. They hope to provide a little something for everyone. For more info, check out their website or call 773-728-2071.
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Mosaics on Montrose: The Unveiling
 Since last April and throughout the summer, about 30 Ravenswood students - mostly third through fifth graders in an afterschool class and a summer camp activity - have been working with mosaic artist Rochelle Borrett to create a public art installation on the large planters along the north edge of the school grounds on Montrose Avenue. The project was coordinated through ArtReach, the non-profit arm of Lillstreet Art Center and funded in part by Friends of Ravenswood School , in an effort to express the strength of Ravenswood's art programs to the surrounding community. Themes for each of the two planters are "The Arts" and "The Elements," in student designs inspired by the collages of Henri Matisse. A public unveiling of the planters will coincide with Ravenswood's annual Back-to-School Barbecue on Thursday, August 29, at 5:45 p.m. More information about the project can be found here .
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Chicago Treekeepers "Trim Up" Lincoln Avenue
Thank you to the 11 Openlands Treekeepers who made the sidewalks safer for pedestrians. Low branches were trimmed up along Lincoln from Lawrence to Berteau (note current City tree trimming backlog is two years!). A future project will be to mulch these trees. If you would like to participate in future tree care projects email info@chicago47.org.
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C4 Offers Mental Health First Aid Courses
 Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) is hosting mental health first aid courses. Mental Health First Aid is an innovative community course designed to teach members of the public how to offer initial help to people experiencing a mental health crisis or developing mental illness. Register today at c4chicago.org/mhfa! Upcoming courses: Sep. 5 & 6, Oct. 7 & 8, and Oct. 24 & 26. Continuing education hours available upon request.To host a training at your organization, contact: Natalie Robinson, Mental Health First Aid Coordinator, natalie.robinson@c4chiago.org or 773-765-0814.
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Volunteer to Help CPS Students
Did you realize that there were thousands of Chicago Public Schools high school students eagerly studying specific career paths (including yours) in your ward but they need your help? For you, members of your office, or businesses in your ward to help us in our goal of preparing these youth for careers and college, encourage :
Click here for a more detailed Information Sheet on both initiatives.
Speakers and Qualifying Interviews will aid thousands of students in over 60 community, selective enrollment, and career high schools throughout the city. These students are pursuing career training in a particular area (e.g. business, IT, health, pre-engineering, transportation, etc.) while still completing their core CPS academic requirements.
EVALUATION FEEDBACK FROM LAST YEAR
- "I enjoyed participating because it is always gratifying to see young adults engaged in meaningful activities. To be a part of this is rewarding."
- "It is refreshing to see students who are motivated and willing to give up their Saturday to better their skills."
- "This was a great event. I will encourage my peers to participate."
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Busy professionals often say that they do not want to recreate the wheel; by participating in these initiatives you will be playing a vital role in an efficient continuum process that needs a large number of volunteers to work. [Based upon data from respondents to Qualifying Interview evaluations collected last year]
* 99% of students said that they felt more prepared for interviews after participating
* 99% of volunteers said that they enjoyed participating in the event.
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REGISTER
Please click here to volunteer. Also, please feel free to forward this email to other professionals in your office or ward who you believe would be good volunteers.
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Dara Reports
Ravenswood School needs a hand (actually more than one) on Saturday August 24, from 8:30am-12:00pm to assemble lockers. They were purchased with donations unassembled in order to save money. No special skills are required. This is a perfect opportunity for a willing teen to earn community service hours. For a good time, coffee and bagels...email Friends of Ravenswood Elementary fors@ravenswoodelementary.org.
Here's your chance to really make a difference for the Horner Park Dog Friendly Area, for your dog, and for yourself! Purina Beneful sponsors a contest where they award $500,000 for a "Dream Dog Park" along with $10,000 for the individual and a year's worth of food for their canine companion. I'd like to encourage everyone to enter! And pass this along to other dog owning friends as well! The initial entries are due soon--noon EST on September 17th--and consist of an essay and photo. 20 finalists will be selected to move to Round 2. The details are here.
The next public community meeting for the Horner Park DFA will be on September 18th, at 7 pm at the Horner Park field house. Please come and show your support for this wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
SAVE THE DATE for the 1st Annual Autumn Plant & Garden Exchange Saturday, September 21st 10am to 2pm. Are some of your plants out growing their space? Do you have a place for new plants? Bring the tools you aren't using or garden accessories that no longer suit you.
Join us for a bit of gardening talk, get questions answered, learn about plants you've never had before, Enjoy giving your extra plants a new home!
Volunteers Needed to Help our Neighbors! There are several upcoming events in the neighborhood that can use your help.
Friday, September 6th, 11am-1pm. Help serve at the Senior Luncheon at German-American. Contact Dara: 773-868-4747
Saturday, September 28th, 9am-12pm. Join us for a kick-off and training for volunteering to help neighborhood seniors. Individuals, church groups, businesses, scout troops or high school students can volunteer for this new initiative which will be led by The Salvation Army Family & Community Services. Contact Shanell Allen: 773-642-9207
Saturday, October 12th, 9:30am-1pm. 1st Annual Community Services & Disability Fair. Contact Dara: 773-868-4747.
Native Plants and Hardy Perennials will be available through the fall for anyone who wants to garden on a parkway or corner. We have a sample corner plot drawing from Designer Rinda West, a neighbor and gifted landscape designer. Lists of native plants and other resources are also available on our website.
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.
Sulzer needs your old games. Thanks to our neighbors who have donated games for the Sulzer's Game Night! If you have games that your family no longer uses, please bring them to the 47th Ward Office or to Sulzer Library. Their ever-popular "Game Night" could use a few more board games like Sorry, Chess, Life, Uno, Jenga, Rummy Cube, etc.
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Upcoming Events at Sulzer Library
Classes, Lectures & Workshops
Global Film Initiative Screening
Life Kills Me (La Vida Me Mata)
Thu., August 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Life and death come wrapped in a mutual embrace, absurd and poignant at once, in celebrated director Sebastián Silva's debut film about the unlikely friendship between a grieving, young cinematographer and a morbidly obsessed drifter. Spanish, with English subtitles. 92 minutes.
Poetry Saloon at Noon
Wed., August 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Come enjoy some poetry with a live reading from renowned artist Janet Kuypers.
Global Lens Screening
Modest Reception (Paziraie Sadeh)
Thu., August 29 at 6:00 p.m.
Two sibling sophisticates from Tehran travel the mountainous northern countryside, maniacally pushing bags of money on locals - a hilarious and alarming exercise that unfurls with unexpected force amid subtle themes of power and corruption. Farsi/Persian, with English subtitles. 100 minutes.
Book Discussion Groups
Great Books Club
Thu., August 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Poetry by Petrarch
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.
Family Programs
Preteen Book Club
Doll Bones by Holly Black
Wed., August 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a discussion of this chilling adventure in which three children set out on a quest to bury a doll that might just be made from the ashes of a dead girl.
Questions about any of the programs? You can reach the Sulzer Regional Library at (312) 744-7616.
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Friends of the Chicago River's Canoe Trips
Have you always wanted to canoe along the Chicago River - the western boundary of the ward!?
Saturday September 7th -11AM - 3PM - Downtown Canyons - If you missed the 6/29 trip definitely sign up for this one; it's a spectacular trip.
Saturday September 28th - 6PM - 10PM - Moonlight Paddle - The premier trip we offer. Paddle out into the Skokie Lagoons as the sun sets. See lots of wildlife; including all three species of heron and possibly even cormorant, all native to our area. After a stop on land to hear the story of how the Lagoons were made and a snack, you'll get back in your canoe and paddle back to the launch site under the moonlight. It's a truly magical night. Friends Canoe Program is unique in that each trip is led by trained canoe guides. Before getting in the boat you'll receive safety & paddling instructions. Then when you're on the water, the guides will offer you paddling advice, assistance, answer questions about the ecology or history of the area, and ensure your safety.
By taking these tours, you're supporting the ONLY non-profit that is working to make the Chicago River one of the world's greatest metropolitan rivers. To register on line go to www.chicagoriver.org or call Friends of the Chicago River at 312-939-0490, X10. For more information contact Claire Snyder at 312-939-0490, Ex 14. csnyder@chicagoriver.org.
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The Public House Theater, 3220 N. Lincoln Ave. 800-650-6449
Through August, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 PM-10 PM Bye Bye Liver
"Bye Bye Liver is a series of outrageous sketches, all centered around the one thing that connects all of Chicago...alcohol!"
http://pubhousetheatre.com/
Summer Festivals & Series
German-American Fest, at Lincoln and Leland
September 6 - September 8 (Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday 12pm-11pm; Sunday 12pm - 10pm. Come share in the Gemütlichkeit in Lincoln Square at the annual German-American Fest. Remember to attend the Von Steuben Day Parade that steps off from Lincoln and Berteau at 2pm on Saturday. For more information, please click here.
Movies in the Parks-Chicago Park District,
Through September 14th Movies in the Parks are here! The Chicago Park District will be showing free movies through September 14th (free)! For a complete schedule of the summer movie series, click here.
Lincoln Square Apple Fest, 4700 block of N. Lincoln Ave.
September 21, Saturday, 8am to 5pm
Visit their website for more information.
Ravenswood ArtWalk
October 4-October 6: Friday 7-10:30PM, Saturday 11AM-9:30PM; Sunday 11AM-6PM
Outdoor location is parking lot, SW corner Ravenswood/Wilson
http://www.ravenswoodartwalk.org
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47th Ward Infrastructure Update
Check out the infrastructure map on our webpage!
Lawrence Avenue Streetscape
The Lawrence Avenue Streetscape is underway. We have posted a draft of the streetscape design on our website if you would like to review the details.
Work on the sidewalks has begun on the north side of Lawrence at Damen working to Western Ave. and back to Damen by November. Most of the walkway section of the sidewalk from Damen to Leavitt is completed and curb and gutter is being installed along with the ADA ramps. In the next week they will be moving west of Leavitt on to Western Avenue before crossing to the south side and making their way back east to Damen. Next year the project will be completed from Damen to Clark St.
Divvy Bike Kiosk Installations
The first 5 of about 20 locations in the 47th Ward will have Divvy Bike kiosks installed and operational by Monday (some are already in place). These include:
- Damen Brown Line (north of Leavitt)
- Montrose Brown Line (on Ravenswood)
- Irving Park Brown Line (on Ravenswood)
- Lincoln and Leavitt (at Sulzer Library)
- Western Brown Line (in Plaza)
Irving Park Streetscape
The last phase of the Irving Park Streetscape, removing the old streetlights and quality control repairs to pavers and final curb repairs will begin over the next few weeks. This was delayed due to an electrical issue that has since been resolved. The project should be fully complete before November 1st.
Berteau Neighborhood Greenway
City Crews from the Dept. of Transportation have marked out sidewalk repairs and traffic calming installation along Berteau between Lincoln and Clark. Construction on these has begun and will be completed by September 1st after which the resurfacing of Berteau between Ravenswood and Ashland will take place. The final phase of the Greenway will be installing the contraflow bike-traffic light eastbound at Damen and adding street markings and reduced speed and wayfinding signage. We expect all work to be complete by October.
Water Main for 2000-2220 W. Berteau (Bell to Damen)
City Crews from the Dept. of Water Management will begin work replacing the 1894 water main under Berteau Ave. from Bell to Damen. Parking restrictions will be posted and are enforced during designated times M-F. To see the residents' notice, please click here. Water Main for 2000-2100 W. Hutchinson (Damen to Lincoln) City Crews from the Dept. of Water Management will begin work soon replacing the 1897 water main under Hutchinson St. between Damen and Lincoln. Parking restrictions will be posted and are enforced during designated times M-F. To see the residents' notice, please click here.
METRA Traffic Closures and Detours Around Ravenswood Avenue - Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until April, 2014.
- Ravenswood from Lawrence to Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until April, 2014 on the west side of Ravenswood
- Irving Park at Ravenswood Lane Restrictions intermittent through August 30, 2013
- Ravenswood (west side) from Berteau to Irving Park Intermittent Closures for finishing through August 30, 2013
- Ravenswood (east side) Ave from Ainslie to Winnemac Full Closure through September 28, 2013
- Ravenswood (west side) from Irving Park to Grace Full Closure while wall panels are installed until October 11, 2013
Parking restrictions and detours may be re-opened, when possible, and re-closed once work is ready to resume. Walsh Construction is continuing to work with our office to minimize closures and parking restrictions, and reduce their construction footprint as much as possible while getting their work done. For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Bill Higgins at bill@chicago47.org or 773-549-2745. |
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Welles Park's Wonderful Summer Concert Series
Each Tuesday through August 27, Welles Park plays host to some amazing local performers in all genres in this family-friendly, picnic-friendly series. All shows begin at 6:30pm and most consist of two sets with a short intermission, wrapping up before it gets dark, at around 8:30pm. Bring a blanket, some dinner or beverages, and some friends, and enjoy music in the park every week! They'll also offer light snacks for sale at most shows. Download a pdf flyer to print here.
8/27: Aloha Lives joined by students of Ke Kula
The Welles Park Advisory Council would like to extend very special thanks to this year's series sponsors: Welles Park Parents Association Baseball, The Gene and Rosemary Schulter Foundation, State Senator Heather Steans, and Alderman Ameya Pawar.
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 For a full schedule of events Lillstreet is hosting in honor of their tenth anniversary, click here. |
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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
August 22 Thursday 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Solar Energy in Chicago
Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
August 22 Thursday 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Check with Lucy (Americana)
Giddings Plaza, 4731 N. Lincoln Avenue
August 22 Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Property Tax Appeal Workshop
Gordon Tech College Prep, 3633 N. California Avenue
August 23 Friday 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Best Served Hot: Ceramics for the Coffee Ritual
LillStreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Avenue
August 24 Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Paper Shredding, 4150 N. Broadway
SW corner of N. Broadway & W. Buena, 4150 N. Broadway
August 24 Saturday 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Paper Shredding, 1500 W. Belmont
Saint Luke Church, 1500 W. Belmont Avenue
August 24 Saturday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Lillstreet's Fall Open House
LillStreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Avenue
August 24 Saturday 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Lillstreet & Ravenswood Block Party
LillStreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Avenue
August 25 Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Makers Mini Conference: Chicago Craft and Business
LillStreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Avenue
August 29 Thursday 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Drop Steady (Reggae)
Giddings Plaza, 4731 N. Lincoln Avenue
September 6 Friday 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
German-American Fest
Lincoln & Leland, 2300 block of W. Leland
September 7 Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mortgage and Foreclosure Assistance Fair
Northside College Prep High School, 5501 N. Kedzie Avenue
September 7 Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Paper Shredding & Recycle cartridges, phones & prescription eyeglasses
GreenChoice Bank, 2545 W. Diversey Ave.
September 7 Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Taoist Tai Chi Society Open House
Taoist Tai Chi Society, 1629 W. Montrose Avenue
September 7 Saturday 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
German-American Fest
Lincoln & Leland, 2300 block of W. Leland
September 7 Saturday 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Von Steuben Day Parade
Lincoln & Berteau, 4200 N. Lincoln Avenue
September 8 Sunday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
German-American Fest
Lincoln & Leland, 2300 block of W. Leland
September 14 Saturday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Baby & Kids Green Garage Sale
St. Benedict School Gym, 3941 N. Bell Street
September 21 Saturday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lincoln Square AppleFest
4700 block of N. Lincoln Avenue,
Want to put your community event in our newsletter? Check the guidelines on our website.
CAPS Meetings. If you would like to get to participate in community policing or express concerns about crime happening in your area, please consider attending your beat meetings. A schedule of beat meetings is available on our website. If you have any questions about CAPS or need additional information, please contact Jim Poole at 773-549-4462 or jim@chicago47.org. 19th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward south of Lawrence) 312-744-0064 or CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org. 20th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward north of Lawrence) 312-742-8770 or CAPS020District@chicagopolice.org.
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