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.

DesignHouseChicago.org was founded by Susan Page Estes of the Northcenter Neighborhood Association along with Pam Daniels and Paul Hatch to marry the technologies of manufacturing, design and 3D prototyping in creating goods appropriate for manufacturing locally. A first product, the Reveal picture frame, will be manufactured by Skol Manufacturing on Ravenswood Avenue.

As explained by the Chicago Tribune: "A picture frame that grew out of a Chicago Ideas Week event launched on Kickstarter, part of a local design group's efforts to boost manufacturing here. Reveal is an aluminum frame aimed at people who want to print digital photos, and it features perforations where users can insert or remove printed images quickly. Skol Manufacturing, a fourth-generation metal-fabrication shop jn the 47th Ward, will make the product if the Kickstarter campaign succeeds. Ray Skol, president of Skol Manufacturing, said he appreciates the business and the pay-up-front model of Kickstarter."

The DesignHouse organization seeks $20,000 for this first production run. Any additional funds raised will be used for further manufacturing research and designing the next opportunity. For more information click here.

*Arts & Culture  

American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St.

The Humans, Nov. 14-Dec. 21

Take a fresh look at the American family.. as you've never seen it before!

www.atcweb.org 

Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St.

At Last: A Tribute to Etta James

A critically acclaimed celebration of the highs and lows of James' brilliant musical career.

Plays With A Purpose: BoBo The Bully, thru Dec. 17

A series of four interactive musical plays that teach school kids how to live life in a positive and meaningful way. Teachers are provided with workbooks and activities to reinforce the lessons taught in the plays.

www.blackensembletheater.org

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, 1422 W. Irving Park Rd.
Free Open Mic every Wednesday at 9:00PM
All art forms from music and acting sketches to comedic stand up will be presented to the public from local artists. All are welcome!

A Bright Room Called Day, Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 PM, thru Nov. 23

A thought provoking play written by Tony Kushner comparing the rise of the Nazis with the Reagan administration.

www.cictheater.com 

Corn Productions Conservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave.

DRINK! The Sketch Comedy Drinking Game - Best of Year One, Saturdays at 11pm Nov. 8-Jan. 10

BYOB to a series of 'mind-altering' comedy bits!

The Rain Dance with Rainstick, Tuesdays 8 PM, thru Nov. 18

Join in the fun with the Rainstock group as they perform sketch comedy, improv, musical numbers and maybe even some break-dancing!

www.cornservatory.org  

Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave.

Now Playing: Birdman, Big Hero 6, Interstellar, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 

www.davistheater.com 

The Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.

Game of Mobile Homes, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM, thru Nov. 29, tickets $20 

With its skillfully executed shows (and cocktails!), cabaret-style seating, comfortable and inviting lobby, this theatre has an experience for everyone.

http://pubhousetheatre.com

Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave.

Devil's Day Off, Runs to Nov. 22

Experience what it's like when a city's power goes down for 12 hours during a record-breaking heat wave through 100 characters in more than 50 mini-plays.

www.signalensemble.com 

Silvie's Lounge, 1902 W. Irving Park Rd.

Enjoy a wide variety of musical genres, local talent as well as touring acts in one of the most acoustically appealing venues in Chicago.

See calendar

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

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

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:

Ravenswood School

Science Fair Judges Needed on December 9

Ravenswood School is hosting a middle-school Science Fair for its sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students on Dec. 9. A lot of volunteer help is needed: We need 30 judges and three scorers (as well as other help). Volunteers can sign up here.

You don't need a deep science background to be a judge. All the information you need will be explained in a short training session before judging begins.

Winners of the Ravenswood Science Fair will advance to the Regional Science Fair competition and may have the opportunity to compete at the City or State science fairs.

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, 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

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 was recently completed and thermoplastic striping and stamped asphalt crosswalk markings have been installed along this stretch.  Sidewalks, ramps, curbs/gutters, and bus pads have also been completed, meaning the great majority of hardscape work has been finished along the project limits (Western to Clark).
• 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.  Damaged trees are under warranty and will be replaced in the spring.
• The installation of bike racks, chairs, trash receptacles, and benches is wrapping up and new signage is scheduled to be erected by the end of November.
• 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.  All traffic signals will also be re-timed this fall to help improve traffic flow and pedestrian countdown clocks will be programmed as well.
• Landscaping work for fall plantings in Claremont Plaza and elsewhere between Western and Damen has been finished up for the season and the remaining plantings will be done in the spring.  Fencing in Claremont Plaza is expected to be completed by the end of December.  Infiltration planters have been addressed in preparation for the winter.
• Neighborhood identifiers are expected to be installed on street light poles by the end of December and punch list items are currently being addressed.

As always, pay close attention to parking restrictions.

Water Main Replacement for Ashland Avenue between Irving Park and Lawrence

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are nearly FINISHED replacing the water mains from 1897 under Ashland Avenue from Irving Park to Lawrence.   

Phase 3 (southbound between Lawrence and Montrose) is almost done.  If Mother Nature cooperates, we expect the roadway to be resurfaced TOMORROW, Saturday, November 22nd.

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.

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 have replaced 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.  Crews have poured concrete in the trench pending full asphalt restoration in the spring as soon as weather allows.  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 will resume with service installation on the north end of the project in the middle of next week. Eastwood main installation should be ready for pressure testing by the beginning of next week. The entire 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 have begun replacing the water main from 1890 under Seeley from Montrose to Wilson. 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 Main Replacement for Leavitt from Grace to Irving Park

Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management will begin replacing the water main from 1896 under Leavitt between Grace and Irving Park on Monday, November 25th.  No parking will be necessary M-F from 7am to 4pm. The project is expected to be complete by early January with street resurfacing to follow in the Spring of 2015.  For more information on this project, please click here.   

Water Mains Coming Soon:

Western (Roscoe to Addison) - Scheduled to begin in late December/Early January.  Sign boards have gone up north of the project area to alert drivers to the extensive work that is beginning at Logan Blvd (Kennedy) and Western Ave.  Crews will work their way north.  They are currently not slated to arrive in the 47th Ward until January 2015.    

• 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 has been completed.
   

• 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.