In these weekly series I will be covering the emerging arts and culture scene in the Lincoln Square, North Center, southern Andersonville and northern Lakeview neighborhoods. For the first article I visited the DANK Haus German-American Culture Center to learn more about what goes on in this tall large building at 4740 N. Western Avenue just south of Lawrence Avenue.

It's surprising how blissfully unaware all of us are of our surroundings, particularly things that should be noted for their distinctive and insightful qualities. When I first set my eyes on this German-American cultural center called DANK Haus the building didn't visually leap out but it did spark a curiosity as to what was going on behind the doors of the beige marble building. The DANK Haus is a German-American cultural center that has much to offer the Lincoln Square community and City of Chicago. I was surprised to find out how active and busy their staff is and that the center isn't just a place to learn a few phrases in German. With over 15% of Chicago's population being of German ancestry, the DANK Haus is the host site for a dynamic legacy of German-American Culture but they also support an array of budding educational and arts organizations in the 47th Ward. Besides being the leasing space to the St. Matthias Middle School, the organization has dabbled its hands with many other small local organizations and businesses. DANK Haus has grown exponentially since their beginning in 1967, and they are now supporting and donating to the Lincoln Square Food Pantry, the Senior Artist's Network, The New Colony and a number of charities.

The New Colony is an itinerant theater company based in Lincoln Square that has had many locations. DANK Haus has not only leased their fourth floor to this innovative acting group but also has input into their theatrical ideas and processes. Supporting local arts and culture like The New Colony is as important to DANK as promoting German arts and culture. Local artists are regularly featured through displays of photography, film and paintings at DANK. The Scharpenberg Art Gallery is visually stunning; the quality of its artwork would probably only be seen at The Museum of Contemporary Art. Their photography exhibit called Freedom Forward features regarded photographer Kai Wiedenhofer, recipient of the Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography. The exhibit portrays the many walls that authoritative governments have set up, from the Berlin Wall to the Israeli/Palestinian borders. DANK also shows many modern German films, ranging from mainstream to arthouse. Golden Bear nominee Wer Wenn Nicht Werr? (If Not Us, Who?) will be showing this month on the 28th at 7:30 PM.

DANK Haus hosts many community gathering events such as the Mother's Day Classical Get Together on May 1st. This will be their first Mother's Day event and it will feature coffee, cake and of course a slice of German culture. And nearly every German cooking class possible is offered, from making sausages to lentil soup. In a nutshell, the institute offers the diversity and spice that is needed for our community, and offers a variety of opportunities that Chicago residents would be insane not to try. Germany has such a rich culture that you don't need to be German American to enjoy DANK Haus. It offers all the interesting artifacts of a museum and all the artistic opportunities of an art show.

Sears Auto Center is back, and we're celebrating! Beginning March 30th, we are hosting a week of special events culminating on Saturday, April 5 with a grand re-opening event, complete with food, music and giveaways - and you're invited. Backed by our trustworthy reputation spanning over 100 years, Sears Auto Center is the go-to destination for all of your vehicle maintenance needs. We're open 7 days a week and offer FREE service consultations with every visit - not to mention complimentary Wi-Fi. Our technicians are experts in their field and have many have completed the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification process. With Sears Auto, your car will be cared for with the most advanced diagnostics and technology.

As a valued member of the Ravenswood community, we'd like to provide you with this special offer redeemable at the new Sears Auto Center located just steps from the Ravenswood Metra at:

1802 West  Lawrence Ave.

Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 989-2466

Remember to stop by on April 5 to enjoy free food, music and giveaways! Learn more about Sears Auto Center at www.SearsAuto.com  or visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SearsAuto. 

We are accepting letters of interest and resumes from college and graduate students seeking a paid summer internship in our aldermanic office. Applicants must have completed at least one semester/quarter of college during the spring of 2014 in an accredited program and must have proof of residency in Chicago, preferably the 47th Ward, at time of hire. The ten week program runs from June 9 to August 15. We will be making our decision in late April/early May. Email ernie@chicago47.org.

March is Red Cross Month and the American Red Cross is recognizing everyday heroes who reach out to help their neighbors.These everyday heroes lend a hand to those in need in communities across the country by:

• Helping people affected by disasters get on the road to recovery.
• Giving blood to help a hospital patient.
• Brightening the day of an injured service member who is hospitalized far from home.
• Stepping forward to assist someone having a heart attack or to save a drowning child.
• Reuniting families torn apart by war or conflict in other parts of the world.

This March, during Red Cross Month, they're encouraging everyone to discover their inner hero by giving time to help a neighbor, make a financial or blood donation or take a Red Cross class in First Aid and CPR. Here's 4 ways you can join in this effort:

1. Give blood. Many blood drives were cancelled the first 6 weeks of winter because of the weather. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. 
2. Take a First Aid and CPR class and learn lifesaving skills at www.redcross.org.

3. Become a Red Cross volunteer. More than 90% of our workforce is volunteers. Since Jan.1 our volunteers helped more than 1,000 people in our 13-county region after home fires. They also taught First Aid classes, hosted blood drives, visit with military member and veterans and much more. Get started here: www.redcross.org/support/volunteer.

4. Be prepared for and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies. Download the Red Cross apps for First Aid, tornadoes and more at  www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps.   

Waters Elementary
There are three 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. 

• Thurs, April 24, 8:45am in Annex
• Thurs, May 22, 8:45am in Annex

McPherson School Tours are designed for neighborhood and Options for Knowledge parents to get a better idea of what makes McPherson unique. Come see for yourself and get all your questions answered live and in person!

• Friday, April 25 @ 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, May 9 @ 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, May 30  @ 9:30 a.m.

RSVP: Marianne Turk, mturk@cps.edu, 773-534-2625, ext. 167874728 North Wolcott Avenue | Enter through the main office door (#1) from Wolcott and sign in at the office.

Bell School

Believe in Bell 2014 Video

Amundsen High School

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: April 18, May 16, June 20 from 3-5pm

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

Lincoln Square Friendship Center Pantry Are you interested in our newest neighborhood pantry? Sign up for their newsletter: lincolnsquarefc@gmail.com  

There are many ways for you to help - volunteer, help fundraise, hold a food drive, donate bins, pick-up donations, sponsor/manage a community garden bed. We are neighbors helping neighbors and making a difference.

An invitation to practice your English language skills in a welcoming and friendly setting. The Lincoln Square Friendship Center will be holding weekly Conversation Circles for English language learners on Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, beginning on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The address is 2733 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. This is open to everyone, free of charge. English will be spoken, discussing subjects of interest and relevance. All language levels are encouraged to attend. There will be no child care available.

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!

Water Main Replacement for Hutchinson between Lincoln and Damen

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the water main from 1897 under Hutchinson St. between Lincoln and Damen.  No parking will be enforced between 7am and 4pm Monday through Friday.  During work, there will be no thru traffic allowed.  For full information, please click here.   

Water Main Replacement for Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the water main from 1895 under Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace.  No parking will be enforced between 7am and 4pm Monday through Friday.  During work, there will be no thru traffic allowed.  For full information, please click here.  

Water Main Replacement for Byron between Damen and Ravenswood

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management will be replacing the water main from 1891 under Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace.  No parking will be enforced between 7am and 4pm Monday through Friday.  During work, there will be no thru traffic allowed.  For full information, please  click here.

Water Mains Coming Soon:

Leavitt (Addison to Belmont), School (Leavitt to Hoyne), Hamilton (Addison to School), Roscoe (Hamilton to Leavitt): Start in March 

Berteau (Bell to Damen): Start in April.

Warner (Leavitt to Damen):  Start in April

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 amphibians and mammals will be greatly improved.

Horner Park Riverbank Project (from US Army Corps)

Winter conditions are still delaying contractor progress. The exact start date is still pending construction plan approval.  

• 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 Jim Poole at jim@chicago47.org or 773-549-4462.  

Enjoy one of the best running experiences the city has to offer at the 18th annual Ravenswood Run. This 5K, run on the beautiful tree-lined streets of the Ravenswood and Lincoln Square neighborhoods, is perfect for the new runner or those chasing a PR. 

100% of the proceeds from the event go to Ravenswood Community Services' hunger relief programs and the student-based health centers at Lakeview and Amundsen High Schools.