Language Stars is thrilled to have Alderman Pawar commemorate the opening of its new Center in Andersonville earlier this month. As the leader in foreign language education for kids, Language Stars has 25 locations in the Chicago, Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas. With 15 locations in the Chicagoland area, they are thrilled to be a part of the Andersonville community, serving a new generation of children who will realize the benefits of learning language young. To celebrate Discover Languages Month in February, Language Stars is offering new families the opportunity to take TWO classes for free. Come discover another culture at Language Stars this month!

Language Stars full-immersion programs for children start at 12 months of age through 10 years, in Spanish, Mandarin, French, Italian and German. Programs are taught by native-speaking teachers from over 20 countries, who engage kids in a fun curriculum of games, songs, arts & crafts, treasure hunts, and more. Language Stars' focuses on a young child's "Window of Opportunity" to absorb a foreign language naturally alongside their primary language. To enroll at any time or to try a free class, call 866-55-STARS or visit www.languagestars.com.

Winter Weather Safety

DRIVE SAFELY: The tragic multi-traffic accident yesterday in I-94 in Northwest Indiana demonstrates how fast and unpredictable severe weather can create havoc on the roads. More snow and cold temperatures are in the forecast this weekend. If you plan to travel, please use these safety tips when driving on the highway.

10 COLD WEATHER TIPS: Know symptoms of hypothermia, remember to limit the time of pets being outdoors, and let faucets drip. These are some of things to help you stay safe during this extreme cold weather. Here's a few more.

Home Fire Response

Home fire season is underway and our volunteers have ramped up response. We see a rise in home fires during the colder months as people turn to alternative heat sources to warm their homes. Since Jan. 1 the Red Cross helped 134 families affected by 112 home fires. Simple steps can be taken to prevent home fires. Here's how.

The Red Cross provides disaster relief up to 72 hours after local disasters like home fires. Our caseworkers can help answer questions you might have to serve your constituents affected by disasters, 312-729-6179.

Flu Prevention

Flu season is here and more and more people across the country are getting sick. The American Red Cross urges people to get vaccinated now and offers tips everyone can follow to help prevent the spread of the flu. The most important step someone can take is to get a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. Here's more steps to prevent the flu.  

Chicago Snow Corps is a program that connects volunteers with residents in need of snow removal - such as seniors and residents with disabilities.

While winter can be hazardous for everyone here in the City of Chicago, it can be especially difficult for elderly and physically disabled residents, who may not have the ability or resources to remove snow from their sidewalks and walkways. Chicago Snow Corps aims to help minimize potential heavy-snow emergencies by pairing volunteers with blocks where elderly and disabled citizens have requested help.

There are four more school tours this year. If you know parents interested in hearing about Waters School, please share the following dates with them. Please be prompt. Tours start EXACTLY at 8:45am. 

• Thurs, Feb. 20, 8:45am in Annex
• Thurs, March 20, 8:45am in Annex
• Thurs, April 24, 8:45am in Annex
• Thurs, May 22, 8:45am in Annex

We will continue to collect warm items all winter; as we are told more are needed. Please clean out your closets; someone else can use your children's outgrown jackets and the coats, hats and gloves you no longer wear?  We also welcome donations of pet food, towels and blankets for those pets less fortunate than our own.

On the 3rd Friday of the month The Lincoln Square Friendship Center 2733 W. Lawrence is the home to Friendship Pet Food Pantry. Pet food is provided to folks who are having a hard time feeding their beloved pets.  

Upcoming dates are: February 21 & March 21 from 3-5pm

If you know anyone who needs assistance, please pass this along.

In their 1st three distribution dates a month's supply of food was given to:

92 cats & 38 dogs!

Save the Date:

The 47th Ward Green Council Brings Us

Home Energy Efficiency Mini-Workshop!

Learn about how you can save hundreds of dollars a year for the life of your house...and more! Tuesday, February 25 from 7-9pm Sulzer Library Auditorium   

25.8 million children and adults in the United States-8.3% of the population-have diabetes

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!

The Chicago Cubs have provided some additional funding for infrastructure improvements in the 44th 46th and 47th Wards.   In the 47th ward we will be getting new residential street lighting on: W Byron (Clark to Ashland), N Janssen (Addison to Irving Park) and N Greenview (Addison to Irving Park).

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

Please check out this updated landscaping plan for the bank.

New to the plan:

• removal of all Ailanthus, honeysuckle and buckthorn (all invasives);
• add soil to the rip rap on the upper sections of the project area to make planting easier and recovery quicker;
• substitute for the elderberry, since we said we have a thriving e-berry community already;
• substituted a cover seed mix instead of the IDOT mix we objected to;
• four species of gray dogwood (stakes) that a vigorous colonizers for the new territories.

These will be substantial new lands, with the bank secured, and planting begun. Riverbank Neighbors will be able to enrich species diversity over time and introduce many new forbs. Habitat for birds and reptiles and amphibs and mammals will be greatly improved.

• 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 (east side) between Ainslie and Winnemac some of the landscaping features will be installed before snowfall in preparation for planting in the spring.  Blockades may be in place on the street to make room for the work to be done however there is not a parking restriction when workers are not present.

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