47th Ward Newsletter

4243 N. Lincoln Ave. | info@chicago47.org | Office Hours: M-F 9am to 5pm

October 17, 2013

On this day in 1931, Al Capone is convicted of income tax evasion.

Dear Neighbor,

On Wednesday, October 23, Mayor Emanuel will deliver his proposed 2014 budget to City Council. Starting October 28th, the City Council will hold two weeks of budget hearings. During these hearings, I will be asking questions about the City's finances, the overall outlook, pensions and services. The 2014 and 2015 budgets are going to be very challenging and some very difficult decisions will have to be made. To ensure you have a voice in the 2014 budget, I am scheduling three town halls to hear your ideas, suggestions and comments about anything related to city services and functions.

Details for two town hall meetings are below. The third town hall will be held on the senior campus; the date and time are forthcoming.

October 29, 2013, at 7:00pm at St. Benedict Parish Beavan Hall - Irving Park & Bell) - for the public and the 47th Ward Council

November 6, 2013, at 7:00pm at McPherson Elementary School (Auditorium - 4728 N. Wolcott) - for the public

If you can't make the town hall meetings, please feel free to send us your feedback. Next week, my letter will detail the 2014 proposed budget and my initial thoughts.

Thank you and happy fall.

Sincerely,

2013 Street Sweeping

The 2013 Street Sweeping Schedule is now available on our website.

This Week...

Keep Leaves Off the Street

City Budget Town Hall Meetings

Health Insurance Information Fair

47th Ward Fall Cleanup

47th Ward Health & Wellness Day

Welcome New Business

McPherson Playground Brainstorming

Planter Stewards of North Center

Insinkerator Pilot

Dara Reports

Ravenswood Playground Rally

Homework Help at Lincoln Belmont Library

Infrastructure Update

Northcenter Farmers Market

Forced Migration

Nightmares on Lincoln Ave

BET Evening with Roberta Flack

Tom Ryan Youth Fund Benefit

St. Kateri Powwow

Roots Salon Events

Ravenswood UCC Oktoberfest

Lessons from the 63 Boycott

Author Nancy Grossman Event

American Legion Burger Night

Spirits of Ravenswood

Save the Date: Circus in the Parks

Pilgrim Lutheran Trivia

Community Events

Final Thoughts

Upcoming
Ward Nights

Wednesdays

5:00pm to 7:30pm

November 20

News from
Our Partners

Events at Sulzer Library

Events at Lincoln Belmont Library

Alliance for the Great Lakes News

On Chicago47.org

Newsletter Archive

Ward Guides

2013 Farmers Market Schedule

Save Your Ash Tree

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.

Welcome New Business: Green Machine Cycles, 1634 W. Montrose

New Bike Shop Aims to Add Green Attitude to Montrose. Green Machine Cycles will have an environmental commitment as the driving factor behind its product and practices. A new bike store is trying to get customers to trade in four wheels for two. Owner Ezra Hozinsky opened Green Machine Cycles with two goals: use as many sustainable products as possible and motivate people to ride bikes instead of cars. He'll be selling bikes with an emphasis on hauling the cargo people need on a daily basis. Ironically, his location at 1634 W. Montrose Ave. used to be a driving school. "The increased availability and improvement of Chicago's cycling infrastructure makes it a great time for people to start softening their environmental impact," Hozinsky said. Most bikes in the shop, along with bags and baskets, will be made from sustainable or reclaimed materials. The repair shop-including frame repair-will only use biodegradable or low-toxic cleaners and lubricants. "I want to put a lot of these things in one place so people don't have to hunt things down and show folks there really is a functional cycle to materials; it doesn't have to be linear," Hozinsky said. The commitment to sustainability runs through the store itself. Hozinsky reused much of the wood and plasters from the driving school. Green Machine Cycles will be open 10 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 to 2 p.m. Sunday.

The article above is reprinted with permission from Lincoln Square Patch (note: leaving her post as editor, we wish Sarah Flagg well in her next career endeavor!).

Planter Stewards of North Center

Steward Julie Hull by her business JRH Kids Cuts, 2123 W. Irving Park Road

Community Gardener CK Johnson by First Chicago Bank planter, 1946 W. Irving Park Road

Dara Reports

Forward Chicago, a new, grass-roots, all volunteer non-profit, is for folks in and around the 47th Ward. The mission is to build a stronger community by connecting neighbors, businesses and local organizations. They aim to create a neighborhood where people of all ages are active, engaged and influential. Forward Chicago takes advantage of the many resources available in our neighborhood, along with new initiatives sparked by members to develop a programming calendar. Whether you are interested in meeting folks and enjoying a meal at a neighborhood restaurant or in sewing, crafts, chess, card games, bird-watching or learning a new skill - Forward Chicago has something for you.

Check out what's going on at www.forwardchicago.org.

Attention Gardeners! Vinca for you! It's a perfect ground cover for your parkway or corners. Little violet flowers bloom all spring, grows well around tree roots, doesn't need much sun and loves to spread. The only catch is you need to dig it up. Contact: Dara 773-868-4747

We've seen news items recently about veterans visiting the WWII Memorial in Washington.

If you know any, please have them check out Honor Flight Chicago. It's a not-for-profit charity organization dedicated to honoring Chicago area World War II veterans by flying them, all-expense paid, to Washington DC for a day of reflection at their memorial. This volunteer-based group works year round to raise the money needed to provide these veterans with this experience, and each flight is funded entirely by private donations. For more information, please visit www.honorflightchicago.org

"Adopt" your sewers and catch basins. Keep the tops clear of leaves and litter.

This will cut down on flooding. If the drain appears to be clogged after removing leaves from the surface, and water does not drain within 12 hours of rainfall please call our office so we can get the sewer on the schedule for cleaning. To learn more about what you can do for storm water management please click here .

Plan Your Visit: Free Presentations

Saturday, October 26th Health & Wellness Event

10:00 Pets Bring Health & Wellness Tree House Animal Shelter

10:30 Yoga mini-class Mary Kay McCaw

11:00 Health Care Power of Attorney Kathryn Chapman

11:30 Fostering Emotional Health C4

12:00 All about Acupuncture Natalie Shuler

12:30 Nutritious Choices Sarah Calamaro

1:00 Aging As You Wish Karen Kolb - Age With Ease

1:30 Taiji Fit mini-class SAS-Sanford Stark

2:00 Yoga, Art and Health Rachel Lochocki

German International School Chicago Fall 2013 Open Houses

Thursday, October 24 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 7 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 21 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

For parents who are unable to attend the Open House events, private tours are available upon request. Please contact info@germanschoolchicago.com to set up an appointment.

Donations Needed! Our three local pantries will distribute items to our neighbors (and their beloved pets) in need.

Personal care/hygiene items: toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc.
Pet food - especially canned cat food, litter, toys, treats, collars, leashes and beds.
Winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves for all ages.

Your friends, church group, scout troop, business or school can organize a drive! Let us know how we can help. You may bring your donations to our office Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

Along with our Electronic & Paper Recycling Day on October 19, we will be collecting many more items for donations during the week of October 15th-18th

Please bring books, CD's, DVD's, bikes, crutches, and sewing machines to our office that week or to the ward yard on Saturday, October 19th.

Open-Books will take any and all Books, CD's & DVD's (even VHS tapes) for sale in their book. They then create literacy programing for Chicago and area school children. www.open-book.org

Working Bikes collects used bikes, refurbishes them and donates them to folks in Chicago and internationally. www.workingbikes.org

Community Christian Church will re-launch its Lincoln Square campus on October 20 at Gateway to Learning, 4925 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. The non-denominational Christian church extends an open invitation to the entire community to attend its grand re-opening celebration service on October 20 at 10:30 a.m. To learn more about Community Christian Church, please call 630-388-5000 or visit www.communitychristian.org.

Perceptual Motion's silent auction is one of the highlights of our benefit with everyone a winner! Volunteers are sought for the silent auction committee for their Wine and Chocolate benefit on Saturday, November 9, 2013. They need people to assemble and package auction items, write descriptions for bid sheets, set up the display at the event and solicit auction items. Contact Lin Shook at 773 549-3958 or pmidance@gmail.com. Like food? They also need people to serve on the food committee. Contact Wilma Stevens at 773 274-2754.

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.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Rally to celebrate Ravenswood School's new playground this past Saturday. It was a great day, and we're looking forward to making this improvement to the school. Special thanks to Governor Quinn, Mayor Emanuel, State Senator Heather Steans, State Representative Greg Harris, and State Representative Ann Williams for their support of this project. Congratulations to the whole Ravenswood School community.

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.

Brick paver installation is underway. Some work on the plaza and adjacent alley was delayed to confirm an engineering issue which has been resolved.

Work on the sidewalks continues on the south side, on schedule to complete to Damen by November. Next year the project will be completed from Damen to Clark St. Landscaping features will be installed on the whole stretch in 2014.

Irving Park Streetscape

The last phase of the Irving Park Streetscape is coming to a close. All that remains is some followup repairs we have been waiting on. Now that the new lights are on we are being assured that these last repairs will be made by the end of the season. Some remaining planting may take place in the spring.

Water Main for 3800 - 3900 N. Seeley (Grace to Irving Park)

City Crews from the Dept. of Water Management have begun work replacing the 1895 water main under Seeley Ave. from Grace to Irving Park. Parking restrictions will be posted and are enforced during designated times M-F. To see the residents' notice, please click here .

Western Avenue Roadway Repairs

Western Avenue from George Street to School Street will be reciving spot repairs over the next few weeks. This is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation's Arterial Street Resurfacing - Term North Area Project, in the 47th Ward.

Construction has begun. The work will include ADA sidewalk, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling the existing asphalt pavement, asphalt paving, bus pad concrete pavement construction, and pavement markings.

During construction, temporary "No Parking" signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed by December 16, 2013.

NOTE: NO DEMOLITION OR REPAIRS WILL BE DONE TO THE OVERPASS AT THIS TIME. Demolition of the Belmont overpass and reconfiguration of the streetscape has been planned and is awaiting funding approvals. This is not expected to begin until 2015.

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.
Ravenswood (west side) from Irving Park to Grace Full Closure while asphalt finishing is done through October 18, 2013.

For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Bill Higgins at bill@chicago47.org or 773-549-2745.

Community Events

For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.

October 17 Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Forced Migration Photovoice Exhibit Opening

Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue

October 18 Friday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Black Ensemble Theater benefit, An Evening with Roberta Flack

Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Avenue

October 18 Friday 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Epiphany UCC's Welcome Meal Benefit

Wellington UCC, 615 W. Wellington Avenue

October 19 Saturday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

47th Ward Electronics Recycling & Beauti-Fall Clean-Up Day!

47th Ward Yard, 5333 N. Western Avenue

October 19 Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Health Care Insurance Information Fair from Congressman Quigley

Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue

October 19 Saturday 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Grand Opening of the Chicago location of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA

Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, 1629 W. Montrose Av

October 19 Saturday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tom Ryan 53rd Annual Youth Fund

Tattler Post #973, 4355 N. Western Avenue

October 20 Sunday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Oktoberfest at Ravenswood UCC

Ravenswood United Church of Christ, 2050 W. Pensacola Avenue

October 21 Monday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

McPherson School Playground & Campus Brainstorming Session

McPherson Elementary School, enter door #15, west side, 4728 N. Wolcott Avenue

October 22 Tuesday 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Lessons from the 1963 Boycott: The Struggle for Quality Education in Chicago

The DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place

October 24 Thursday 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Author Nancy Grossman is coming to Sulzer Library

Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue

October 25 Friday 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Burger Night at Tattler Post #973

American Legion Tattler Post #973, 4355 N. Western Avenue

October 25 Friday 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Burger Night at Tattler Post #973

American Legion Tattler Post #973, 4355 N. Western Avenue

October 25 Friday 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

"Will You Step Into My Parlour?" Nicole Hollander's Living Room

LillStreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Avenue

October 25 Friday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Midnight Circus at Welles Park (Friday)

Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Avenue

October 26 Saturday 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

47th Ward Health & Wellness

Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue

October 26 Saturday 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Midnight Circus at Welles Park (Saturday)

Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Avenue

October 26 Saturday 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Essanay Center Gala Masquerade Ball

Essanay Center, St. Agustine College, 1345 W. Argyle Street

October 27 Sunday 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Halloween Jamboree

Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Avenue

October 27 Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Midnight Circus at Welles Park (Sunday)

Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Avenue

October 29 Tuesday 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

RCC Annual Public Meeting

Dolce Casa Cafe, 4947 N. Damen Avenue

October 29 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

47th Ward Town Hall on the 2014 City Budget & other issues

St. Benedict Parish, Beavan Hall, 2215 W. Irving Park Road

November 2 Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Pancake Breakfast at Ravenswood UMC

Ravenswood Fellowship UMC, 4511 N. Hermitage Avenue

November 2 Saturday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Team Trivia Night at Pilgrim Lutheran School

Pilgrim Lutheran School, 4300 N Winchester Avenue

November 6 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

47th Ward Town Hall on the 2014 City Budget & other issues

McPherson School, auditorium, 4728 N. Wolcott Avenue

November 9 Saturday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Flea Market at Pilgrim Lutheran

Pilgrim Lutheran Church auditorium (lower level), 1952 W. Cullom Avenue

November 9 Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Holiday Delight/Kodomo Matsuri (Children's Festival)

Japanese American Service Committee, 4427 N. Clark Street

November 9 Saturday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

ArtReach Fall Fundraiser "Art to the People"

Lillstreet Loft, 4437 N. Ravenswood Avenue

November 9 Saturday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

a taste of Wine + Chocolate benefit for Perceptual Motion

St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Road

November 10 Sunday 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

6th Annual Laternenfest and St. Martin's Parade

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western 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.

Final Thoughts

Have a suggestion or comment for Ameya or the 47th Ward Team? Please contact us at 773-868-4747 or info@chicago47.org.