The Northcenter neighborhood has a lot to celebrate this weekend - in addition to Memorial Day-related festivities, the highly anticipated ROCKS northcenter will officially open its doors to the public on Friday, May 23rd! Located at 4138 N. Lincoln Ave. the new bar and restaurant is the latest addition to ROCKS Bar Group, co-owned by Tim Shepardson and George Manta.  A large L-shaped outdoor patio, mouthwatering lunch menu and indoor shuffleboard are just a few things that will make ROCKS a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

In addition to an eclectic menu of over 100 different whiskies, ROCKS northcenter will offer diners classic cocktails and craft beers guests and creative signature drinks. Open for both lunch and dinner, the food menu will feature a wide array of salads, sandwiches, shareable appetizers, burgers, large plates and more.  Highlights include the Black & Blue Chili, the Toasted Beet & Goat Cheese Fritter Salad and the insanely popular "ROCKS Burger" (8 oz. burger with bacon, pepper jack cheese, onion strings, lettuce, tomato, giardiniera on a soft pretzel roll.)

Named for the way they serve their whiskey (in a classic glass over one oversized block of ice,) the ROCKS brand has become synonymous with high quality, hospitality and affordability.  Since opening the doors of their original location in 2005, ROCKS has been a go-to neighborhood destination for Chicagoans looking for great food and even better drinks.

THIS Friday, May 23rd from 7pm to 9pm, Mayor Emanuel is inviting faith leaders, community organizations, businesses and fellow residents to Faith & Action Summer kick-off movement.  This movement seeks to create positive activities in our public spaces.

Along with CAPS and the Chicago Park District, Mayor Emanuel is planning 134 activities City-Wide. There will be activities happening at Chase, Welles and Winnemac Parks in our area.  Please join neighbors as we unite as one city in solidarity to enjoy our public spaces and take action to ensure they remain places we can all enjoy safely.

A junior at Lane Tech College Prep in the Honors Music Track, Taz Johnson just passed the Boy Scout Board of Review and achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout! Taz's parents, Robby and CK Johnson, active members of the 47th Ward for many years, are proud of their son's honorable accomplishment which included Taz's fundraising and organizing for the renovation of the game room of the American Indian Center. Taz had been involved with popcorn and wreath sales for the past 8 years and thanks all his friends, family and neighbors for their support of his project and Troop #889. He also worked at the Neighborhood Boys and Girls club for over four years and serves as an Eucharistic Minister at St. Benedict's Church. Taz's Eagle Court of Honor will be held June 8, Sunday at 2:00 PM, at the American Indian Center, 1640 W. Wilson Avenue. Congratulations Taz! 

Calling all nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers! North Park University's Axelson Center is hosting its 15th Annual Symposium June 2-3 at Chicago's Hyatt Regency. This year's programming focuses "Next Practices": what will keep our nonprofit organizations strong, responsive, relevant and competitive?

Online registration for this year's event closes on Wednesday, May 28.

Save 25% on your registration with the discount code CHICITY47.

Register here: https://www.regonline.com/nonprofitsymposium2014 

Take a closer look at this year's sessions at http://bit.ly/symposium2014sessions, and review the outstanding speaker lineup for 2014 at http://bit.ly/symposium2014bios.

Notable names speaking at this year's event include Peter Buffett, Terry Mazany (The Chicago Community Trust), Erma Tranter (Friends of the Parks), Tony Banout (Interfaith Youth Core), Eric Weinheimer (The Cara Program), Bob Dean (CMAP), Rev. Barb Bolsen (The Night Ministry) and many more! Get more information and register today at https://www.regonline.com/nonprofitsymposium2014 

Questions? Contact the  Axelson Center or 773-244-5747.  

North Center Senior Center located at 4040 N. Oakley serving over 2000 seniors monthly is looking for items their annual LITFEST, Book Sale, Raffle and Tea  Sunday June 22.  Items needed are all things tea - tea cups, tea pots, tea cozies, clean vintage linen, teaspoons, tiered serving plates, candles, good books and new, slightly used but not abused items and white elephant items to be used for raffle,  spa items, kitchen items.  Items can be dropped off anytime at the center in a bag or box to the Attn: Liza Martin with your name, address and phone #.   Pick-up available also.  Call 312.744.4015 for more information.  

As the weather turns warmer, we are seeing more graffiti throughout Chicago.  Be sure to report any graffiti to our office (info@chicago47.org, 773-868-4747), 311, or through the Chicago Works app.  You'll need to know the address, type of surface tagged, and whether or not the tag is more than six feet from the ground.  Graffiti that contains profanity, hate language or is done on a church or school receives special attention. 

In the majority of art galleries you might have attended, you will most likely never know, meet or live near any of the artists. At Images Gallery Cooperative on 1823 W. Wilson Avenue the majority of the artists are based and active in the local community. In their own words, the gallery seeks to "discuss, critique and support the making of art." The gallery stands out in many ways, particularly in its diversity of work from a variety of artists. The gallery is more like a local club of artists, meeting weekly and discussing upcoming art projects. Some of its noted members include Mark Herold who has displayed his work across Italy, and Jill Metcoff who published her own photography book.

What is refreshing about this gallery is the fact that there is no common theme to each exhibition, each artist presenting themselves and their own work individually. Once a year in the fall, the group comes together to make a collaborative art project. The work can be as diverse and creative as one can imagine; for example the Collateral Assemblage exhibition in 2011 was made from donated materials from local stores. The group is also involved in many local events and organizations such as the Ravenswood ArtWalk, the Botanic Garden and the Chicago Artists Month. Everyone in the community is welcome to view their exhibitions each month. Check out their website.

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative (CPC) is a unique arts organization located at 4642 N. Western Avenue. Printmaking is not a very common art form, with only a handful of printmaking companies residing in Chicago. In business for a quarter of a century and having resided in the ward for 15 years, CPC's large range of art work and printing experience impress many a fellow art goers. CPC offers classes in intaglio (a complex process of inciting an image on a limestone and inking it to print on paper), monotyping, lithographing, screen printing, and photo processing. These types of art forms are very exclusive and date back to the Renaissance Age; many of the pieces you will see on display come from all over the world, from The Netherlands to Mexico.

The Collaborative is involved in many other arts organizations across the city and globe. They have partnered with Gallery 37, The Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Park District and the art department of Columbia College. CPC is also hosting an open gallery and auction called "Cash N' Carry" starting May 23rd and running until June 21st. A variety of local artwork will be on display and reasonably priced. CPC offers some of the most unusual artwork in the city and it would be a waste if you pass by this shop without a second glance!

The New Colony, 4740 N. Western Avenue, 773-413-0862
Orville and Wilbur Did It!, June 13th to July 20th

Witness firsthand the ups, downs and ego clashes of five actors and a stage manager traveling across the country 

Alibi Fine Art Exhibit, 1966 W Montrose Ave, 773-454-1512
Boldly, We Go Blindly, thru May 24th   

This photography gallery's theme is about works and people who have been overlooked and forgotten.
www.alibifineart.com

American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron Street, 773-409-4125 

A group of hippies explore the idea of love and civil rights in 1968 in this classic rock musical.
www.atcweb.org

The Public House Theater, 3914 N Clark St. 773-904-8777
Bye Bye Liver, every Friday & Saturday 8PM & 10PM
A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing...alcohol!

www.pubhousetheatre.com

Cornelia Arts Building, 1800 W Cornelia Ave, 773-316-9223
Open House, May 16th Friday 6-10PM
Take a look at some of the most cutting-edge artwork in our community and get a chance to talk to the artists themselves!
www.corneliaartsbuilding.com

The Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St., 773-769-4451

Pimprov, every Friday at 10:30 PM

An improv sketch with "pimps" that may not be politically correct, but will leave you laughing on the floor!

www.blackensembletheater.org 

Cornservatory

Deathprov, thru June 29th, Sundays at 7:30pm

Finding ways to kill someone may not seem that amusing, but in this improve sketch set in post Apolcalyptic world, it is. The only warning here is to not laugh yourself to death.

www.cornservatory.com  

Waters Elementary 

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, 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.  

Ravenswood Elementary

Ravenswood Elementary School offers comprehensive school tours on the second Tuesday of every month that school is in session. All tours begin at 9 a.m. in the multi-purpose room, where we'll grab a cup of coffee and set off to observe classrooms, discuss the curriculum and learn what makes Ravenswood Elementary School a truly hidden gem.  Mr. Manaen, Ravenswood School principal, will meet with prospective parents for an open question-and-answer session following the tour.  Not sure if you're in the Ravenswood Elementary School attendance boundaries? Please click here .

The last tour of the school year will be June 10, all at 9 a.m. in the multi-purpose room. All are welcome!

Amundsen High School

Amundsen High School offers comprehensive school tours at 10 a.m. on the first Friday and the second Thursday of every month school is in session. Come learn more about Amundsen High School, its International Baccalaureate (IB) program and more great programs available at our neighborhood high school.

To join the tour, meet in the school office at 10 a.m. (enter through the main doors on Damen Avenue). Remaining tour dates for this year are:

• Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m.
• Thursday, June 12 at 10 a.m.

School tours are also available by appointment by contacting friendsofamundsen@gmail.com.   

Amundsen Debate Team is 7th in the City!! Congrats!

Amundsen High School has been selected as the Sportsmanship School of the Year by Chicago Public Schools! There are 106 total high schools in Chicago and only two are selected to receive this award each school year.

Congratulations to the 350+ athletes who make us proud to be Vikings! Their integrity, ethics, and sportsmanship exemplify the quality of personal character and leadership that exist within our student body. Thank you to Amundsen's coaches for cultivating a culture of respect and community among the student athletes!

Amundsen has 371 student athletes who participate across 25 varsity interscholastic sports teams. This school year, Amundsen's athletes have a sustained a 95% average attendance rate and have earned a combined 3.41 GPA.

Amundsen athletes also achieved conference titles this year in Men's Varsity 16 Inch Softball, Men's Varsity Volleyball, Men's Sophomore Volleyball, and won the IHSA Regional title for Men's Soccer.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Amundsen's Men's Varsity and Sophomore Volley Ball, Red North Conference Champs! Both teams have perfect 9-0 records!

Upcoming dates are: June 20, July 18 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!

Lawrence Avenue Streetscape

• New pedestrian refuge islands (including ADA compliant ramps) have been installed between Damen and Clark, and center turn lanes have been striped. Sidewalk replacement continues and ADA ramps will be installed to line up with the street crossings at the pedestrian islands.
• Sidewalk, driveway, curb and gutter, and ramp work continues along various stretches of the corridor. 
• Sewer and electrical work have started.  Plantings along this section of the corridor are expected to be complete by the end of May.  The remaining landscaping work will be completed in the fall or next spring.
• Work on the south side of the street near McPherson will be completed over the summer once school is not in session.
• Sreet resurfacing and final striping will be completed in the fall.

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. Concrete restoration is complete.  Street resurfacing will follow in the next two weeks. For full information, please click here.   

Water Main Replacement for Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have replaced the water main from 1895 under Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace.  No parking will be enforced between 7am and 4pm Monday through Friday.  Restoration will occur soon.  For full information, please click here.  

Water Main Replacement for Byron between Damen and Ravenswood

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are 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 June

Warner (Leavitt to Damen):  Delayed until June 10 

Ashland (Irving to Lawrence): Delayed until July - Stay Tuned!  

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)

Tree cutting is complete. Erosion Control consisting of silt fence, silt curtain, inlet protection is installed. Excavation of topsoil, stripping, fill disposal and topsoil placement is underway.   Excavation to install Limestone/Flagstone is underway. Root Wads will also be installed along the river bank in the coming weeks.

Brown Line Construction

Work on the Brown Line tracks near the Rockwell Station will continue through July.  CTA is replacing ties on the bridge over the river to improve the slow zone.  Some work will be done on weekends, where trains will operate on one side of the tracks.  

• Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until June 2014.  
• Ravenswood from Lawrence to Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until June 2014 on the west side of Ravenswood.
• Ravenswood (east side) between Ainslie and Winnemac 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.
• Ravenswood (west side) between Lawrence and Grace landscaping projects are expected to begin late April or early May along the base of the walls along the Metra tracks.  Short closures will be necessary to install the new plants, so pay attention to parking restriction signs.

For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Jim Poole at jim@chicago47.org or 773-549-4462.