What role does theater play in today's world? How can contemporary ensembles engage young urban audiences who are estranged from live performance?  The New Colony, a fresh, dynamic storefront theater group based in Lincoln Square, explores these issues and challenges audiences with intense, intimate performances presented at various Chicago venues. Their current play reWILDing Genius, hosted at the Steppenwolf Garage (theater) on Halsted and North Avenue, is an exceptionally intelligent, relevant, and pioneering work about a group of millennial "hacktivists" who decide to change the world by fighting government and corporate corruption. The original drama is complemented by rich, nuanced character interpretations performed by a cast of bright young Chicago actors.

Now in the midst of its sixth season, The New Colony presented its first play Amelia Earhart Jungle Princess in 2008. Over the years, they have showcased new playwrights and vastly diverse works that explore everything from light comedies about frivolous Hollywood obsessions to high school shootings and the dark side of college fraternities. Their award-winning absurdist comedy Five Lesbians and a Quiche was acclaimed at the New York International Fringe Festival and will be revived this year at the Chopin Theater from May 1st to June 8th. Likewise, this season's productions of Kate and Sam are Not Breaking Up and reWILDing Genius have been warmly received by critics and public.

While the company has offices and rehearsal space in the DANK Haus building, the edgy acting troupe is committed to storefront theater. This is intimate, intense performances in small venues where audiences members are seated steps away from the actors. The safe boundary between audience and stage is markedly absent at a The New Colony performance which can stun those accustomed to the classic theater experience. Another concept fundamental to the company's mission is collaboration. In an ensemble numbering 43 people who premiere mostly original works, actors have full license to develop their characters. The playwright and director function to facilitate stories, while characters and even plot are developed organically as part of a group collaborative process; no single individual owns the outcome. The result is a very alive, nearly improvisational type of theater that is quirky, refreshing, often absurd, and demanding that the audience is present and invested.

The New Colony represents the kind of avant-garde performance that is nearly extinct in most major cities, making Chicago one of the last bastions of innovative theater. Against the odds, their risky endeavor has been largely successful. In addition to performance, they have recently launched an education program for local youth. As only 30% of their revenues come from ticket sales, The New Colony relies on donations to cover most of their operating expenses. They deserve our applause and support. ReWILDing Genius runs through April 20th and their next production Orville and Wilbur Did it! opens June 13th. I implore you to go experience this dynamic local theater ensemble!

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.

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 10, 8:45am in Annex (changed to occur before any options spots need to be secured)
• 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 4 @ 9:30 a.m. 
• 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.

Great Kids, Great Teachers = Great School  Congratulations Amundsen!  Click here to learn more. 

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.  

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 have finished replacing the water main from 1897 under Hutchinson St. between Lincoln and Damen.  Restoration will occur once the asphalt plant opens (Mid-April or May). 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 Byron from Damen to Ravenswood.  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:

Berteau (Bell to Damen): Start in April.

Warner (Leavitt to Damen):  Start in April

Ashland (Irving to Lawrence): Start in May - MORE INFO COMING SOON! 

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.