Finally! A men's spa and salon in Ravenswood! That's right guys! Julio Mendez, a 15-year veteran in the cosmetics and spa industry has opened the doors to his first salon and spa. After searching for a location, Julio found in the 47th Ward a part of the city that was actively being redeveloping into new and exciting neighborhoods. Wax Man Spa is nestled a block away from a busy Metra station, an upcoming Mariano's grocery store and a redesigned Lawrence Avenue in process of reconstruction.

Wax Man Spa was created to provide a relaxing and inviting atmosphere for men. The Men's grooming business is growing by leaps and bounds. More men these days believe in taking care of themselves not only on the inside but on the outside as well. But it's not always comfortable sitting around at the typical salon, filled with women and smell of nail chemicals etc. Wax Man Spa is different; they offer their services by appointment only to ensure the time you come in is entirely focused on YOU. They are a boutique-style setting keeping personal services as private as possible. Each member of their team has at least five years of experience in men's salon and spa services. They guarantee you'll leave feeling and looking amazing!

During the month of November they are offering 20% OFF ANY Service! Let their hair stylists give you that haircut you saw in GQ, some camouflage hair color or a beard trim. And they have two amazing massage therapists available to help with relaxation to bodily injuries. Their esthetician is sought after for his waxing services especially male Brazilian or try one of his rejuvenating facials!  Take a look at all of their services at http://www.waxmanspa.com/. Wax Man Spa looks forward to meeting their new neighbors and are excited to be a part of the amazing 47th Ward and Ravenswood community!

This week we bid farewell to one of the Ward office's front desk volunteers, Jeannette Mihalek, who had volunteered with us since June. Jeannette leaves us to start a new opportunity for the non-profit organization Alternative Transportation for Chicagoland, which formerly operated the IGO car sharing program and now seeks to provide greater transportation options for the region's residents. Jeannette started to volunteer at the Ward office to keep busy while she was unemployed. "Volunteering in the Ward office definitely helped with my job search. Prospective employers liked that I was spending my time volunteering, and I was able to demonstrate my skills and experience by talking about my duties at the Ward office," Jeannette shared. "Also as a resident of the 47th Ward, I liked being involved with my community and becoming more knowledgeable about the issues facing the Ward and its residents." If you are interested in volunteering at the Ward office, contact Dara Salk at dara@chicago47.org.

Coyotes are being sighted in the neighborhood.  They have been sighted at multiple locations including along the river, Grace and Lincoln, and Wrigley Field.  For more information on Coyotes, please see our website.  Please know that there has not been a documented attack by a coyote on a human in more than 30 years in Illinois.  If you see an aggressive coyote or one that returns regularly to the same location please report that to our office or 311.  

Taz Johnson is a Life Scout at St. Alphonsus Boy Scout Troop # 889 who came up with a building improvement project at the American Indian Center of Chicago (AIC) at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. Toward attaining Eagle Scout rank, Taz was required to create, manage and complete a service project to benefit my local community. Taz choose the AIC because of his Native American ancestry and he personally knew that children's game room needed renovating for the safety and joy of the children who utilize the space.

AIC has been an important part of the Native American Community of Chicago for 60 years. With over 74,000 Native Americans living in the Chicago area, AIC provides a place for social gatherings, youth programs, free meals and clothing for seniors and others, job search assistance, and educational programs with a concentration on Native American traditions for families and youth.

Taz' project goals are to repaint the walls and floor of the game room, re-panel the ceiling, and get new chairs and tables for the children to play board games on. He would also like to replace the old pool table with a new Ping-Pong table. So far most of the supplies have been donated (like paint from Stauber's Ace Hardware) but Taz is still looking for help in getting the Ping-Pong table. For more information email tazjohnson81@yahoo.com.

North Center Market's last day is November 24 (Saturday 7AM to 1PM)

Lincoln Square Market's last day is November 26 (Tuesday 7AM to 1PM)

Energy Efficiency Fair: Coming To Sulzer Regional

Peoples Gas, Com Ed and the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association have partnered to host Energy Efficiency Fairs at six Chicago Public Library branches this fall to encourage residents to take advantage of incentives to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes. Homeowners can learn how to get free energy-saving products like programmable thermostats and CFLs, and rebates for high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other items.  Sulzer Regional is hosting their fair on Saturday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

We need YOU! Another one of our much appreciated front desk volunteers has found a job!  Our busy office is now without a most important person 2 afternoons a week. Could you be that person? If you enjoy helping your neighbors, have a good sense of humor and can stay calm while juggling several things at once - you will love working with us here in the alderman's office. Please call Dara: 773-868-4747

 

 

Programing from Forward Chicago - Join them, for Fun at Sulzer Library!

Meet neighbors who are teaching and playing Bridge, Chess & Mahjong. Whether you are an old hand or are eager to learn something new, you'll have a good time!

On the First and third Fridays of the month 10am-12pm

November 1st and 15th, December 6th and 20th, January 3rd and 17th

Do you knit, sew, craft or just want to watch? They've got fun for you at our Sewing & Craft Circle!

Connect with neighbors for an opportunity to talk about your passions or discover a new skill.

Third Wednesdays of the month 10:30am-12:00pm

November 20st, December 18th, January 15th

www.forwardchicago.com 

  

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program/LIHEAP General Enrollment Application Period Opens November 1.  Click here for more information.   

 

Little Free Library Coming to Lincoln Avenue I learned about this international movement from neighbor Nate Hutcheson. Take a look at http://littlefreelibrary.org/ . What an irresistible idea! The good folks at the Sun-Times donated an out-of-commission newspaper box to us and now we need to get it ready for its new incarnation as a Little Free Library. Would you help me sand and paint it? Dara@chicago47.org or 773-868-4747.

 

School Open Houses

 

ST. BENEDICT PREPARATORY SCHOOL, 3920 N. Leavitt Street 

High School: Wednesday, November 20,  6-8PM

 

Applications are currently being accepted at all grade levels. For more information, contact Ms. Rachel Waldron, Head of Early Childhood (773-588-7851), Ms. Janet Olson, Grades K-5 (773-509-3814), or Mr. Erik Petersen, Grade 6-12 (773-509-3831).

 

German International School Chicago  

• Thursday, November 21 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Autumn Leaves are Falling. We urge you to help us all save money by maintaining your parkway correctly, especially at this time of year this means keeping leaves out of the streets. Far too often, we have caught landscapers blowing leaves and debris into the street. This is illegal in the City of Chicago. ALL of these leaves and debris must be swept up, bagged or put into your black garbage cart to avoid clogging sewers and drains. 

This is even more important due to the new drain covers that have replaced the older design. The new covers, located on residential blocks have narrower openings to hold back more debris. Please take the time to help keep your block clear of debris and leaves by clearing off these drain covers and sewers on a frequent basis. Thanks for your assistance.

 

 

As temperature drops the need for coats, jackets, hats, gloves and mufflers become even more crucial for our neighborhood families in need. Remember the wind on those cold morning walks to school?  Please consider donating any of these items for clients of our local pantries. You may drop them off to our office and we will distribute them.

 

Kidical Mass - Roscoe Village.  Upcoming ride 12/1.  Meet at Audubon School (3500 N. Hoyne) at 10am for 10:30am departure.  Click here for more information.

For those who have ever wanted to learn Japanese styles of cooking, such as rolling a Maki-sushi roll or preparing a traditional Japanese New Year's feast, the kitchen at the Japanese American Service Committee headquarters is currently open. A series of cooking classes will be offered Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the committee's offices, located at 4427 N. Clark St. Classes can fit up to 15 people each, and all materials are provided.   

 

Please contact Susan Tybon for pricing information or with any questions at (773) 275-0097 ext. 230 or via email at stybon@jasc-chicago.org 

Chicago in top ten cities where people commute less by car.

 

According to most veterinarians, a dog falls into the "senior" category around age seven. The size of a dog, however, affects this categorization. Smaller dogs mature slower and become seniors later in life than larger dogs. Animal shelters are filled with healthy and active senior dogs that are in need of a home. When you're thinking about picking up a dog from your local shelter, don't look past the older dogs. They make great pets for a number of reasons.

 

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 

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.   

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 Claremont Plaza and adjacent alley was delayed to confirm an engineering issue which has been resolved.

Chicago River Work (east side) Berteau to Montrose (from Riverbank Neighbors) 

The project will be funded and supervised by the MWRD, the public entity in charge of treating our wastewater and managing the North Branch and North Channel of the Chicago River.  Riverbank Neighbors has had stewardship along this section of river bank for many years. The goal of this project is to stabilize the eastern bank, especially the northern end, from Montrose to Berteau Street. They will do this by inserting seawalls, corrugated sections of heavy iron deep into the bank some feet off shore, and pinning them into deep strata of clay with long iron holdfasts.

The top of the seawalls, when installed, will rest at normal water level, leaving them inconspicuous in their important task. From the edge of the seawall limestone fill will be added to armor the bank against scouring from flood events.  This newly created contour will also be planted with appropriate native species of forbs, grasses, shrubs and trees to provide bank stability, habitat for wild things, and beauty (for us).

All work will be done from the river side, using barges, so as not to badly impact existing plantings.  Temporary construction fencing will seal off the work area from November 17th until springtime. Pathways will not be open and access to the river's edge will not be permitted. Riverbank Neighbors understands this safety precaution and appreciates the District's plan to perform the work during the wintertime, when the site is less visited by families and friends. In the end, the project will hopefully secure the eroding bank and provide large new areas for planting, new paths and river access, more beauty and happiness for neighbors and visitors. 

The last phase of the Irving Park Streetscape is coming to a close. All that remains is some follow-up 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 November. Some remaining planting may take place in the spring.

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

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.

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.  

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