Each year, every ward is allocated $1.32 million in aldermanic menu funds to pay for infrastructure improvements. The 47th Ward's aldermanic menu dollars have been spent for this year, and a full report on last year's process and results is available on our website.  It's now time to begin the process for the 2015 Aldermanic Menu Program. 

We give everyone the opportunity to complete an audit of their block. This audit is the first step in our menu process, and provides our office with information on which improvements are needed in particular areas. The block audit for 2014-15 is now online and you can participate by clicking here.  If you, or someone you know, would like to complete this on paper they can pick up a copy from the 47th Ward Office at 4243 N Lincoln Avenue.  We will be accepting completed audits until midnight on November 25, 2014. 

The 47th Ward Team will then score the audits in December and January, and we will hold our annual vote for menu spending in February or March of 2015.  We expect the menu submission for 2015 to be ready for submission to the City by April.

If you have any questions about completing a block audit or our menu process, please contact the 47th Ward Office at 773-868-4747 or info@chicago47.org.

Where did this new mural come from? What does it mean? Send us your thoughts on this new mural. Here's one clue. Tune in to our newsletter next week for more revealing information on this mystery.

As a place to experience life, Yoga Experience is a new, warm and inviting yoga studio that opens November 3rd at 4619 N. Ravenswood Avenue, Suite 100. Owner Tracy Von Kaenel received her Advanced Level II Yoga Certification from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago and has taught yoga in the Chicago area for over twenty years, most recently running her own business as Yoga with Tracy Von Kaenel, and also teaching at Galter Life Center, Sweet Peas Studio, Presbyterian Homes and the Tai Chi Center of Chicago.Tracy is excited to open Yoga Experience in the 47th Ward. The neighborhood is very welcoming of new businesses and is also the location where most of her continuing students reside. With the abundance of public transportation as well as plentiful free parking, it will be easy for all to attend classes.

Tracy has a yoga class for everyone, from those who've never stepped on the mat to those who have been practicing for many years. Along with traditional yoga classes, she brings unique offerings such as Aerial Yoga and Yogassage to the yoga enthusiast to complement a regular practice. Tracy's teaching style is gentle, yet challenges each student in an appropriate, individualized way. Her goal is to bring to all participants a greater body awareness, a deepening of one's own spirit, a profound sense of relaxation and a feeling of community. 

Classes begin on November 3rd with a Grand Opening Open House on November 9th from 1pm-4pm. Meet Tracy, her current and soon-to-be students, chat, eat, maybe win a raffle prize and more! For information and to register for classes please visit www.yogaexperience.net.

North Center Satellite Senior Center is looking for artisans and crafters to rent tables for upcoming annual ArtsFest on Sunday December 7 from 1 - 4pm promoting the ,multi-cultural and diverse talent of senior artists, artisans There will be a large array of items for sale including original art, ceramics, textiles, crafts, jewelry and international café featuring delicious food and desserts , bake sale and much more! They are looking for artisans 55 and better to rent tables to promote original creations. They are also looking for donations for basket raffles such as wine, spa items, kitchen ware. Please drop off at the center at 4040 N. Oakley to the attention of Liza Martin. Any questions call 312-744-4029 or email lmartin@catholiccharities.net.

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 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.

Lake View High School

Open House

Finally, an opportunity to experience Chicago's Premier Neighborhood High School first-hand - find out why parents are raving about the outstanding high school that's been hidden in plain sight! The Lake View High School open house is this Saturday, Nov. 1, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Come see why you should choose your high school, not the other way around. More info here.  

Lake View High School (LVHS) Partners produces a newsletter to share the stories of their premier neighborhood school and provide specific examples of how LVHS helps students maximize their potential.  

You can see previous newsletters by clicking the links below.

Issue #1

Issue #2

Sign up to start receiving your copy and encourage your school community, neighbors and friends to as well:

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

Tuesday, December 9 @ 9 a.m.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School

Academic Excellence...

Pilgrim uses a "whole child" approach, focusing on academic, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical development. Pilgrim prides itself on a play-based preschool and kindergarten, high test scores and our graduates, 95% of whom attend competitive high school programs.

Faith development is an integral part of the growth process and enables students to achieve success and a positive place for themselves in society.

Want to Learn More? Pilgrim's next Open House Date is January 20, 2015

For More Information or to schedule a one-on-one tour call us at 773.477.4824

Or visit www.pilgrimchurchandschool.org 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School                                

"Academic Excellence with a Heart"

4300 N. Winchester Ave.

Chicago, IL 60613

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.

Check out the infrastructure map on our website. 

Lawrence Avenue Streetscape 

• Street paving on Lawrence between Ravenswood and Clark is scheduled to be completed on Saturday (Nov. 1).  This stretch will be striped in early November.  Additionally, the new crosswalks will be installed (in early- to mid-November) after the street has been resurfaced, which will take approximately a week as long as the weather cooperates. The stretch between Western and Ravenswood has been completed and thermoplastic striping and stamped asphalt crosswalk markings have been installed along this stretch. 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 has been finished up along the last stretch, which is on the south side of Lawrence between Ravenswood and Clark.  Sidewalks, ramps, and bus pads have been poured.
• Bike racks, chairs, trash receptacles, and benches are being installed all along the corridor.
• Sewer and electrical work continues along the corridor. Most of the new street light poles have been installed and old poles have been removed.  As the remaining poles are removed, these areas will be filled in with brick pavers or concrete.
• Landscaping work for fall plantings in Claremont Plaza and elsewhere between Western and Damen will continue through early November.  Plantings between Damen and Clark will be performed in the spring and any additional punch list items that are not addressed this fall will be completed in the spring.

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 3 (southbound between Lawrence and Montrose) is underway. A FULL Closure of southbound traffic between Lawrence and Montrose occurs Monday - Friday 7am to 8pm, the designated detour is Damen via Lawrence Avenue.  Please follow all detour signs and avoid travel in the area, if possible. 

Phases 1 & 2(northbound between Irving Park and Lawrence) are reopen and crews have completed most of the resurfacing.  There are spots of landscape restoration and other punch list items still to go.

Phase 4 (Montrose & Ashland) crews will need to connect the new 16" main under southbound Ashland to the existing 32" main at Montrose.  We will update you on the specific times for this impact and detours, but the work is currently projected to take place in 2-3 weeks. 

Wilson Avenue is open 7a to 9a and 4p to 6p to help alleviate rush hour impacts. 

Thank you for your patience. For more information on this project, please click here.

Water Main Replacement for Berteau from Damen to Bell

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the water main from 1894 under Berteau Avenue between Damen and Bell. Parking restrictions and road closures are in effect, where posted, M-F from 7am  to 4pm.  The project is expected to be completed by December 2014 with street resurfacing and landscape restoration following in Spring 2015.  For more information on this project, please click here. 

Water Main Replacement for Rockwell from Lawrence to Montrose & Eastwood from Virginia to Western

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have begun replacing the water mains from 1906 under Rockwell from Lawrence to Montrose and Eastwood from Virginia to Western.  Parking restrictions and road closures will be in effect, where posted, M-F from 7am to 4pm.  The main installation on Rockwell is expected to be complete by the middle of next week. Once the crews finish on Rockwell they will move to Eastwood and then come back to do service transfers. The project is expected to be completed by January 2015 and concrete will be poured in the trench to grade to make the road passable, with resurfacing and landscape restoration following in Spring 2015. For more information on this project, please click here.

Please note that if you live on a dead end street and crews are in your way, you are encouraged to talk with the workers and they will find a way to get you to your home. 

Water Main Replacement for Seeley from Montrose to Wilson

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management will begin replacing the water main from 1890 under Seeley from Montrose to Wilson starting at the end of next week. No parking will be necessary M-F from 7am to 4pm.  The project is expected to be complete by mid-December 2014 with street resurfacing to be completed in Spring 2015.  For more information on this project, please click here. 

Water Mains Coming Soon:

Western (Roscoe to Addison), Roscoe (Western to Claremont) - Scheduled to begin in late December/Early January 

• New Metra Station (west side) is scheduled to open by the end of November
• 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.