On this day in 1968, The crew and captain of the U.S. intelligence gathering ship Pueblo are released after 11 months imprisonment by the government of North Korea
The 47th Ward Office will be CLOSED on Wednesday, December 24th; Thursday, December 25th; and Friday, December 26th. Happy Holidays!
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Dear Neighbor,
On behalf of the entire 47th Ward Office, I want to wish everyone a happy holiday season. As many of you know, I married my very best friend, Charna Epstein, on Saturday, December 20, 2014! Thank you to everyone who has shared in our excitement and the overwhelming amount of well-wishes and congratulatory notes. As promised, here is a picture from the best day of my life.
Finally, on behalf of your entire 47th Ward Office Public Service Team, I wish everyone a happy holiday season and a Happy New Year!
For a look back on your accomplishments in 2014, click here to read last week's newsletter. To learn about on our accomplishments in 2013, click here. In January of 2015, we will be sending a recap of our accomplishments over the last four years. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve! I look forward to working with you in 2015 and beyond.
Sincerely,
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2015 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
Does the sidewalk adjacent to your property need some tender loving care? You should consider enrolling in Chicago's Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. The program allows you to split the cost of new sidewalk squares with the City.
The application period is always very short because of limited funding. This year the application period opens on Tuesday, January 13th at 12:01am.
To apply for the program please call 311 or use the city's website. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Brad Gregorka, in the 47th Ward Office at brad@chicago47.org.
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2014 Condo Refuse Rebates
If your condo association has applied for the condo refuse rebate program since 2011, it is time to file your rebate for 2014.
You will find all the necessary documents on the Committee on Finance's website. All documents for 2014 rebates are due into the 47th Ward Office by 5pm on January 16th.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Poole at jim@chicago47.org.
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2014-2015 Residential Pick-up/Van Permits Available
If you are the owner of a pickup truck or van, you need a special permit to park on the residential streets in the 47th Ward.
The permits for the 2014-2015 season are now available. Please bring your registration and city sticker information into our office along with your truck to receive your permit.
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News from the City of Chicago
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47th Ward A&C*
*Arts & Culture 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. 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! 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! www.cornservatory.org Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. Now Playing: Exodus: Gods & Kings, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Birdman www.davistheater.com The Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St. Bye Bye Liver, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM & 10 PM A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing ... alcohol! http://pubhousetheatre.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 |
School Tours & Promotions
Amundsen High School Tours
New Brochure for Prospective Amundsen Students and Families
Amundsen High School offers a top-performing International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, 25 varsity sports, more than 40 clubs and a thriving cultural environment where every student feels challenged and valued. Learn more about what our neighborhood high school has to offer in Amundsen's new brochure.
Lake View High School
McPherson Elementary
 St. Matthias School  You can help pave the way to outdoor learning at the school by purchasing an engraved paver brick for the new walkway
St. Matthias School's Garden Committee is pleased to announce that a new brick walkway has been installed on the Ainslie side of the building. Approximately 800 4" x 8" clay pavers comprise a safer, better-looking walkway that will serve as the centerpiece of the Sprouts Garden project.
Any resident or business owner in the ward can make a valuable and enduring contribution to the Sprouts Garden by purchasing an engraved paver during this season of giving. Your contribution is entirely tax-deductible. Pavers are available for $100 (4" x 8 ") or $225 (8" x 8"). A limited number of $500 legacy pavers (8" x 16") are available, as well. The online purchase process is simple: - Open www.stmatthiasschool.org
- Click 'Parent Center'
- Click 'Sprouts Garden Brick Pavers' and select your preferred paver size.
The available characters for an engraved message varies by paver size: up to 39 characters (4" x 8 "), up to 78 characters (8" x 8") and up to 156 characters (8" x 16"). We invite you to order before year-end to help us pave the way to a new outdoor, experiential learning space for our students beginning in spring 2015!
The Sprouts Garden is a self-funded project collaboration between parent volunteers and teachers who aspire to build and cultivate an engaging outdoor learning & exploration space for the students of St. Matthias School. If you have an idea to share, a garden resource to donate or you wish to purchase an engraved paver for the new walkway, then please let us know: SMSsproutsgarden@gmail.com. Thank you!
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.
...With a Heart
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. Preschool tours take place on most Tuesday mornings at 9:00am. Kindergarten through grade 5 tours take place on most Wednesday mornings at 9:30am. Secondary School tours (grades 6-12) are conducted by appointment. Visit our website at www.stbenedict.com.
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Dara Reports
The 2015 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program (previously called 50/50 Sidewalk Program) will be open for requests on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 12:01am. Call 311 as close to 12:01am as possible. Last year this program closed in less than 2 days. The Early-Bird will be getting a new sidewalk in 2015...  | Last week's menorah lighting in Lincoln Square. Thanks to Chabad in Lakeview and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce for organizing this event.
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Chicago Snow Corps is a program that connects volunteers with residents in single family homes in need of snow removal - such as seniors and folks living with disabilities. While winter can be hazardous for everyone here in the City of Chicago, it can be especially difficult for elderly and physically disabled residents, who may not have the ability or resources to remove snow from their sidewalks and walkways. Chicago Snow Corps aims to help minimize potential heavy-snow emergencies by pairing volunteers with blocks where elderly and disabled citizens have requested help.
To request a volunteer, or become a volunteer, to shovel your block in case of extreme snowfall, call 311 or call or email Dara in the 47th Ward Office at 773-868-4747. This is a volunteer-matching service. The City will do its best to match those who have requested assistance. Also, if you have a neighbor who can use a hand, please let your neighborhood group know or call the office.
We have a request from a senior on the 3600 block of Artesian. If you live near there and can lend a hand, please let me know. Keep your home safe when you travel: Give a friend a key. Ask them to shovel if it snows. Stop your newspaper delivery. Tell the post office to hold all of your mail. Put a sign on your door for packages to be sent to an alternative address. Don't blab about your trip on Facebook. Put timers on lights and a radio. Unplug television, computer, toaster, etc. Remove your spare key from its hiding place. Generous neighbors would like to donate a 6' tree on December 16, to someone who needs one. Please email: freexmastree@hotmail.com Don't have a use for your old cell phones? Drop them off at the alderman's office. We collect year round for Cell Phones for Soldiers. There couldn't be an easier way to help our soldiers stay in touch with family & friends.
Bring your used alkaline batteries to the alderman's office. Thanks to C3 and our C3 volunteer, neighbor Andres H, we are the grateful recipients of two collection buckets for batteries. Once the buckets are filled they will be sent via FedEx to a recycling center in California. Look at all of the excellent work they do: http://chicagoconservationcorps.org/
ComEd Residential Special Hardship Program
Effective December 1 until December 25 Customers of Record aged 60+ will not be required to provide proof of hardship. Seniors aged 60+ will also be eligible with any income. This temporary change will remain in effect until December 25 unless otherwise notified. For full information on the program, please click here.
Senior Council looking for members. Are you interested in issues facing our neighborhood seniors, finding solutions and enjoy planning events? Meet others who share your interests and are "doers". Please join our 47th Ward Senior Council - being a senior is not a prerequisite. We're quite efficient; we meet 9 times a year for an hour! Call Dara 773-868-4747
Please bring your unwanted or outgrown coats, hats, scarves and gloves to our office.
We will distribute them to the clients of: Common Pantry, Heartland Human Care Service & Lincoln Square Friendship Center. These non-profits are in our neighborhood, caring for those who need our support
Forward Chicago, a grass-roots, all volunteer, non-profit brings active, involved, engaged folks together. Whether you enjoy walking in the neighborhood, are looking for a Book Club, into handcrafts, ready to learn or already play bridge, relish going to new restaurants for lunch or dinner or have another idea you'd like to bring to life, join us. www.forwardchicago.org
We are very fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood. It's safe because of many factors; there is still more we can do. Please create a phone tree for your block to use as an alert system. Participate in "positive loitering" with a neighbor and your dog. Another good reason to have a dog - a barking dog in your house or apartment is a deterrent to burglars. See more tips on chicago47.org.
CAPS Meetings! Why should you attend? Learn how to be proactive in preventing crime, have your concerns heard. http://chicago47.org/beat-meetings/
You may attend any CAPS Meeting in your district (south of Lawrence is #19; north of Lawrence is #20).
Ongoing Collections:pet food for Friendship Pet Food Pantry,blankets and towels are always needed for clean bedding at area pet shelters. Used games for Sulzer Library's Game Night, unwanted CD's can become part of an art project. Artists and teachers need them. Bring these to the alderman's office.
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47th Ward Infrastructure Update
Check out the infrastructure map on our website.
Lawrence Avenue Streetscape
- Street paving on Lawrence between Ravenswood and Clark has been 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.
- Bike racks, chairs, trash receptacles, and benches were recently installed and new signage has also been erected along the entire corridor.
- Sewer and electrical work continues. 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 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 the winter. Infiltration planters have been addressed in preparation for the winter.
- Neighborhood identifiers are expected to be installed on street light poles in January and punch list items are currently being addressed.
As always, pay close attention to parking restrictions.
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 should no longer be needed. 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 replaced 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 and service transfers are complete on Rockwell except for the area between Wilson and the tracks. Work continues there and should be done by next week. The work on Eastwood (except for the adjoining work at the intersection with Rockwell) is complete. Concrete is poured in all of the complete sections of Rockwell. The work is nearly done and expect final connections in a couple of weeks. The entire project is on schedule to be completed in January 2015 and concrete has been or is being 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 replaced the water main from 1890 under Seeley from Montrose to Wilson. No parking will be necessary M-F from 7am to 4pm. The trenches are backfilled with concrete. 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 are replacing the water main from 1896 under Leavitt between Grace and Irving Park. No parking will be necessary M-F from 7am to 4pm. Final connections are underway. 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.
METRA Traffic Closures and Detours Around Ravenswood Avenue
- New Metra Station (west side): Restoration work has been completed and the station is set to open as soon as track work is completed (weather permitting).
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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.
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Event @ Chicago Jiu Jitsu, 4900 N. Lincoln Avenue
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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
January 7 Wednesday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WARD NIGHT with Alderman Pawar--Jan. 7
47th Ward Alderman's Office, 4243 N. Lincoln Avenue
January 10 Saturday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Trivia Night Live, Pilgrim Lutheran School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, 4300 N. Winchester Avenue
January 16 Friday 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Pet Food Distribution
Lincoln Square Friendship Center, 2733 W. Lawrence Avenue
April 18 Saturday
Spring Fling, Coonley School Fundraiser
Want to put your community event in our newsletter? Check the guidelines on our website.
CAPS Meetings. If you would like to get to participate in community policing or express concerns about crime happening in your area, please consider attending your beat meetings. A schedule of beat meetings is available on our website. If you have any questions about CAPS or need additional information, please contact Jim Poole at 773-549-4462 or jim@chicago47.org. 19th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward south of Lawrence) 312-744-0064 or CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org. 20th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward north of Lawrence) 312-742-8770 or CAPS020District@chicagopolice.org.
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