The 47th Ward is participating in Open House Chicago 2014! Join the Chicago Architecture Foundation the weekend of October 18-19 for the largest free architecture and urban exploration festival in the city of Chicago. For the very first time, several of Lincoln Square and Ravenswood's coolest places and spaces will be included in the 150+ participating sites across the entire city. Have you ever wanted to get inside Louis Sullivan's Krause Music Store building on Lincoln Avenue? Did you know there is a private club room at DANK Haus? And what's the deal with that Airstream trailer on a rooftop near the Montrose Brown Line stop? This is your chance to get inside and find out for yourself!

Check out the full site list at www.openhousechicago.org. Did we mention it's free?

 http://www.corneliaartsbuilding.com/  

Friday, October 3,  6 - 10 pm

Friday, November 21, 6 - 10 pm

Saturday, November 22, 1 - 5 pm

Art on two floors of some 40 plus artists in all art mediums, live music and food from a local gourmet food truck in the parking lot! Visit the artists in the working studios.  All open studio nights are free and fun for all to enjoy. Close to public transportation, free parking available!

From American Red Cross

Disasters can strike at any time, and the American Red Cross, Greater Chicago Region encourages people to be ready in case of emergency through simple planning steps like creating a supply kit and developing an evacuation plan for your household.

GET A KIT

Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit, like a backpack, that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

A kit should have the basic supplies such as:

• Water-one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food-non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Infant supplies - diapers, formula
• Pet supplies - food, water, leash, carrying cage for small pets

MAKE A PLAN 

Everyone in the household should help put the emergency plan together so they know what they should do if something occurs. Because everyone  may not be together at home when a disaster happens,  the plan should include ways to contact one another and two places to meet - one near the home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire, and one outside the neighborhood in case circumstances prevent people from returning home. The plan should also identify an emergency contact person from outside the area in case local telephone lines are overloaded or out of service.

Any emergency plan should also include decisions about where to go if ordered to evacuate and what route to take to get there. It's a good idea to include alternate routes in case roads are closed. Don't forget family pets. Make sure to include plans for them such as pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters along the evacuation route.

RED CROSS APPS 

The Red Cross has developed mobile apps that provide information on what to do before, during and after emergencies, including a "Make a Plan" feature on how to develop an emergency plan. The free apps can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

For more information on how to prepare for all types of emergencies, people can visit redcross.org .

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @ChicagoRedCross.

Would you like to get your home's energy from the sun and pay little or no money to your electric company like ComEd? Does your single family house or two-flat have a roof that gets full sun during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM? (three-flats & condos may also quality-see www.mygroupenergy.com/group/solarchicago).

Solar Chicago is a limited time discount program through the City of Chicago achieved through incentives and bulk-purchasing. If you qualify you are eligible for:

• Solar panel installation cost at minimum 25 percent discount
  (additional discount based on actual number of participates in this community program)
• 30 percent federal tax CREDIT (can be used through tax year 2016)
• 25 percent rebate from the Illinois Dep't of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
• Additional possible payment based on energy produced (by Illinois Power Agency for compliance with state Renewable Energy Standard)

Register now for the free no-obligation proposal for your home! Deadline to apply is September 30, 2014.

WHAT: Be a part of river revitalization by joining an inspiring movement of volunteers gathering to restore five special sites along the Chicago and Calumet Rivers. In partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Friends of the Chicago River and Friends of the Forest Preserves are recruiting Centennial Volunteers to become a part of a community of like-minded individuals who are not afraid to get dirty, get some exercise and have fun outside. Celebrate our rivers and the 100th anniversary of the Forest Preserves of Cook County by volunteering at a site along the Chicago River system.

Volunteers will learn more about our forest preserves, enjoy a natural area close to home, and make a tangible difference to our local environment. Volunteers will also will be trained by experts in restoration and resource management and be involved in regular volunteer days on the weekends throughout the year.

Interested? Please go to www.fpdcc.com/cv to sign up.

The Arts Scene is a concert series at Queen of Angels church located in Lincoln Square. (2330 W. Sunnyside) It will feature quality artists from Chicago and beyond bringing a wide range of sacred and secular music. Concerts will include solo and vocal ensembles, instrumental concerts, organ recitals on the historic Möller organ and the Christmas Festival featuring the choirs of Queen of Angels performing The Messiah, and various collegiate choirs. There is no cost for the series but free will donations will be accepted at the door. For more information or to join our mailing list contact: music@queenofangelschicago.org

Saturday September 27th at 7:30

Sprezzatura! is a vocal and piano duo featuring Stuart Thompson, baritone and Michael Miller pianist, performing chansons by Chausson and St. Saëns, The House of Life by Vaughan Williams, and songs by Miller.

Saturday October 4th at 7:30

Saturday November 8th at 7:30

Tuesday December 2nd at 7:30

Chicago Soundings a local composer consortium who create programs of contemporary solo, vocal, chamber, and new music.

Sunday December 14th at 7:00
Queen of Angels Choirs will present Handel's Messiah and several other smaller works in their 2014 Christmas Concert. Featuring the Queen of Angels Choristers, Cherub Choir and the Adult Choir with soloists from the Schola Angelorum.

Amundsen High School

Ravenswood School

Tours

Ravenswood School offers a comprehensive school tour on the second Tuesday of every month that school is in session. We'll gather at 9 a.m. in the multi-purpose room, grab a cup of coffee and set off to observe classrooms, discuss the curriculum and learn what makes Ravenswood 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. No reservations needed! Enter through the middle doors on Paulina.

Fall tour dates include:

Tuesday, October 14 @ 9 a.m.

Tuesday, November 18 @ 9 a.m. (moved a week later due to non-attendance on Veteran's Day)

Tuesday, December 9 @ 9 a.m.

North Park Elementary School

St. Benedict School

Explore Our Unique PK-12 Catholic, College Prep Campus!

St. Benedict Preparatory School, at Irving Park Rd and Leavitt Street, is the only PK-grade 12 Catholic, co-educational parish school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We offer a unique college prep program in a welcoming, inclusive, diverse community. Tours of SBPS are conducted weekly or scheduled at your convenience.

Upcoming dates: August 15 and September 19 from 3-5pm

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

 http://chicagokidicalmass.org  

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.    

Needed! Old towels and blankets, please. The dogs and cats awaiting forever homes at Animal Care & Control need your old towels and blankets.  Please clean out your linen closets and bring the items to the Alderman's office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. We know they will be greatly appreciated.

Check out the infrastructure map on our website. 

LV2 Notes - Information regarding when and where to obtain LV2 parking permits for next season (2015) will be distributed by our office in late March.

McPherson School Outdoor Project

Work has begun and is nearing completion.  Look for a ribbon cutting in October.  The school will be managing drop offs and pick ups during the construction. 

Lawrence Avenue Streetscape  

• Street paving between Western and Ravenswood has been completed and thermoplastic striping and stamped asphalt crosswalk markings have been installed along this stretch. The stretch of Lawrence between Ravenswood and Clark will be paved in mid- to late-October. As always, pay close attention to parking restrictions.
• New pedestrian refuge islands (including ADA compliant ramps) have been installed along the entire stretch between Western and Clark. ADA ramps are being installed to line up with the street crossings at the pedestrian islands.
• Sidewalk and curb/gutter replacement is being finished up along the last stretch, which is on the south side of Lawrence between Ravenswood and Clark.  Ramps will be poured next week.
• Bike racks, chairs, and benches will be installed in early October.
• Sewer and electrical work continues along the corridor. Most of the new street light poles have been installed and old poles have been removed.
• The remaining plantings between Western and Damen (including Claremont Plaza) are expected to be performed in early October and any remaining landscaping work will be finished up next spring along with other punch list items.

Water Main Replacement for Ashland Avenue between Irving Park and Lawrence

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the water mains from 1897 under Ashland Avenue from Irving Park to Lawrence.  Phase 1 (northbound between Irving Park and Montrose) will reopen TODAY.  Concrete has been poured in the trench from Berteau to Montrose.  24 hour no parking will be enforced to allow the concrete to cure.  Work has begun on Phase 2 (Montrose to Lawrence).  Please note that Montrose and Lawrence remain open for E/W travel.  M-F, 7am to 8pm, the roadway will be closed to all traffic and parking will be restricted on the northbound side of Ashland during working hours.  Wilson Avenue is open 7a to 9a and 4p to 6p to help alleviate rush hour impacts. Clark St. will be the designated detour during this time.  Watch for lane shifts at Lawrence and Ashland as work continues next week. Thank you for your patience. For more information on this project, please click here.

Water Mains Coming Soon:

Berteau (Bell to Damen): TBD

• Leland Ave IS OPEN!
• Ravenswood (west side) from Lawrence to Leland Ave IS OPEN!
• Ravenswood (west side) between Wilson and Sunnyside Restoration work continues along the 4500 block as the brick surface is restored.

• METRA Phase II: Design and engineering for improvements on the east side of the tracks will be starting soon and will be put out to bid once complete.  Construction is currently expected to start in Fall 2015 and will last 18 months.

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

   Click Here