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Dear Neighbor, The Chicago Department of Transportation, in partnership with my office and the 33rd and 32nd Wards, will be hosting an open house regarding the upcoming Western viaduct removal project on Monday, January 11 from 7pm to 9pm at Lane Tech (2501 W. Addison) in the lunch room. The half-century old viaduct over Belmont on Western Avenue has been deteriorating for some time, and is reaching the end of its useful life. This project will not only remove the viaduct, but will also rehabilitate the Western Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River, reconstruct/resurface the roadway on Western from Jones to Waveland, provide 13'-wide sidewalks, add a third travel lane in each direction during peak hours, provide over 80 new on-street parking spaces, and make pedestrian-minded intersection improvements like the addition of countdown timers and pedestrian refuge islands at unsignalized crossings. This project is expected to take 18-24 months to fully complete, and traffic lanes on Western Avenue will be reduced/shifted during the various phases of the project to allow for this work. To learn more about the impacts this project will have on traffic, and the improvements it will bring to Western Avenue, please attend the open house on Monday. We will keep you updated as the project calendar takes shape. To see the information presented at the last public open house in June 2014, please click here.
2016 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program through which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have participated in this program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation.
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 12am on January 12, 2016. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity within hours, so you are encouraged to apply right at 12am. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2016 if you wish to be considered for the 2016 program. Applications will only be accepted through the City's 311 system by calling 311 or through the City's service request website (click Get Started Online). Due to high call volume, the city's website is the best way to input your request. For more information, click on the links below.
Condominium Refuse Rebates This will be the final year that condominium associations are eligible to apply for the condominium refuse rebates. Only associations that filed rebate applications each year since 2011 are eligible for consideration. You can find all the forms you need to complete on the Committee on Finance's website. Please be sure to turn in all your documentation to my office by 5pm on Monday, January 11th. If you have any questions about applying for this program, please call or email my office. Have a great weekend!  |
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Sidewalk Snow Removal
Everyone needs to use the sidewalks to get where they are going. Please remember to clear a path at least 5 feet wide on all of the sidewalks adjacent to your property, including any crosswalk ramps. Do not shovel the snow into the right-of-way, which includes: transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind. You can get full information on the snow removal requirement on the City's website. To report violations, please contact the 47th Ward Office. |
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Chicago Goes Bagless with Recycling
The Chicago Blue Cart Recycling Program is going bagless. Come January 1, the City of Chicago is requiring all recyclables be placed in your blue cart loose without a bag.
We know that everyone wants to do their part to protect the environment, but when you put the wrong items in a blue cart you contaminate not only your cart but a whole stream of otherwise useful materials.
Plastic bags damage equipment at sorting facilities and also keep workers from seeing whether other non-recyclables - like greasy pizza boxes or Styrofoam - have been placed in the cart. Going bagless not only helps our environment, but also reduces unnecessary costs incurred by the City as a result of contaminated blue carts.
So lose the bag, and keep the recycling!
Recycling in your blue cart is easy. Some simple tips for going bagless include:
- Throwing recyclables directly into the blue cart throughout the week;
- Using a garbage can, bin or container to collect recyclables in your house. Then bring the full container out and toss the items directly into your blue cart;
- Using a bag to collect and carry recyclables out to your blue cart. Then toss the items out of the bag and directly into your blue cart. You can even reuse the bag.
The important thing to remember is to toss your recyclables loose into your blue cart. Recyclables contained in bags of any kind will no longer be accepted.
Recycling is an important step we can all take to protect the environment. I encourage residents to incorporate recycling into their daily household routines.
To help take away any confusion on what can and can't be recycled, the Department of Streets & Sanitation has launched a new website - Recycle by City Chicago - that will clear up misconceptions and provide a better visual representation of how to recycle correctly.
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47th Ward A&C*
*Arts & Culture
Special Events DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave. The German American Cultural Center for Chicago: check out the many diverse events that they sponsor. http://dankhaus.com/events Comedy Corn Productions Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave. Drink! The Sketch Comedy Drinking Game, thru January 23. www.cornservatory.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. See website for improv and comedy sketches on other nights of the week. www.cictheater.com Laugh Out Loud- Coming Soon to Lincoln Avenue! Comedy created on the spot from audience suggestions like Whose Line is it Anyway? www.laughoutloudtheater.com Theater Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. Now Playing: Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Joy. www.davistheater.com Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St.
Dynamite Divas: A Tribute to Women of Soul, Friday, Saturdays & Sundays 8 PM, Thursdays 7:30 PM, Saturdays 3 PM. A tribute to women of soul. Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park Rd. Hogwash: An Improvised Tall Tale, improvised children's show on Saturdays 10:30 AM, adults free, kids $10.
CIS showcase, hosted by Chicago Improv Studio on Thursdays 8 PM, $5. www.bughousetheater.com
The Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St. Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM & 10 PM, $18-$22
A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing ... alcohol! http://pubhousetheatre.com
Music
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago's premier institution dedicated to the preservation and performance of folk and other music.
www.oldtownschool.org/concerts Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
Small bar & live-music venue showcasing eclectic performers, with a menu of pizza & bar bites.
www.martyrslive.com High-Hat Club, 1920 W Irving Park Rd. Serving up nightly live entertainment including comedy, jazz, rock, Creole-Italian style food and fine cocktails. www.highhat.club/event 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. www.silvieslounge.comSee calendar CHIRP Radio
With studios near Irving and Rockwell, this independent radio station for and by Chicago's true music fans is celebrating its fifth birthday this year and later this summer you'll be able to hear it over the air as well at 107.1FM! CHIRP also hosts an array of music, arts and culture focused events throughout the year.
http://chirpradio.org Visual Arts Chicago Mosaic School, 1806 W. Cuyler Ave. Please visit the website below to learn more about classes and workshops the Chicago Mosaic School offers throughout the summer. www.chicagomosaicschool.com
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School Tours & Promotions
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.
St. Andrew School
St. Benedict School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Dara Reports
Good Books Wanted! It feels so satisfying to give books you or your children have already read or outgrown, to others who enjoy reading. Or perhaps the book you give away becomes that special one that propels someone to love reading? We always need good books for our Little Free Library. We're here 9-5 Monday-Friday.
With winter comes SNOW! Please be a Snow Angel for an elderly neighbor or a neighbor living with a disability in a single family home. All that is required is when the snow is over 2", shovel the front walk and stairs. The reward comes from the great feeling you get from helping a neighbor.
Know a student? They can earn community service hours by volunteering. Our first request is for a Snow Angel on the 3400 block of Marshfield. Please call or email dara@chicago47.org We've had several coyote sightings in the neighborhood this fall. If you're interested in our wild neighbors, please take a look at our website. They're so important they have their own page.
Friendship Pet Food Pantry (FP2) FP2's priority wish list includes dry cat food and Friskies canned cat food. Drop off cat (and dog) food at Alderman Pawar's 47th Ward Service Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at the Friendship Center (2733 W. Lawrence Ave.) on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. In 2016, pet food distribution will shift to the third Saturday of every month, from 9 to 11 a.m. Any one high-school age or older is welcome to volunteer, though a brief training is required. Other volunteer opportunities exist for all ages. Visit FP2's website, www.friendshippetpantry.org to learn more. Thank you! 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).
FREE, yes FREE, Rain Barrels are available to everyone who wants to disconnect their downspouts. Thanks to the 47th Ward partnership with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District & Chicago Historic Bungalow Association. You may request up to 4 rain barrels! The next helpful step you can take is to plant a rain garden for your overflow; instead of having water in your basement, alley or the street.
There is less open land in our neighborhood, with that comes more water with nowhere to go. Our streets are designed to hold water, then to slowly drain - but with these larger rain events there is more water than our combined system can handle. Does your alley flood? Does storm-water runoff from your garage go into the alley; does it seem that there is more water on your property than ever before? Talk to your neighbors. Help one another to disconnect gutters. The more houses on your block that use rain barrels the less flooding you'll have. Please contact Dara@chicago47.org
Want to play or learn how to play Mah Jong? Join other like-minded women for a couple hours of bam, crack, east, dot...1pm; 2nd & 4th Friday of the month at Northcenter Senior Center.
Thanks to all of you who donated blankets/towels for the shelters. A car load was taken to PAWS. Please keep them coming.
If you or a neighbor is a shut-in, a Hot Meal is available every Saturday afternoon from the kind volunteers at Pilgrim Lutheran Church; call Janet Taylor 773-777-4052 or Jackie Mokszycki 773-961-8740
Do you garden on a corner or parkway? Please take a look at the list of upcoming water main projects in the 'infrastructure update' section of the newsletter. You may have to move your plants so they won't be destroyed or disappear.
Please be sure to report any drain that does not clear within 24 hours of rainfall to the 47th Ward Office or 311. Please bring in your old batteries for recycling. Keep them out of the landfill. 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.
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
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, eyeglasses, 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
Water Main Replacement Damen & Lincoln from Addison to Irving Park
Contractors working with the Department of Water Management have replaced the water mains from 1890 under Damen & Lincoln from Addison to Irving Park. Contractors have capped their trench with concrete on Lincoln. Full restoration will come when the weather warms in the Spring. For more information on this project, please click here.
Sewer Main Replacement for Wolcott from Lawrence to Winnemac
Contractors woking with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the sewers from 1905 under Wolcott from Winnemac to Lawrence. Temporary concrete is in place and parking is restored on the 4800 block. Intersection work at Lawrence has wrapped up, the crew will mobilize to do the same at the intersection of Winnemac and Wolcott. Upon completion of the work in the intersection at Winnemac, crews will return to Wolcott to continue installing the new sewer main under the street between Ainslie and Winnemac. This is currently projected to happen in March 2016. Final asphalt, concrete, and landscaping restoration is expected to be completed in May of 2016. For complete information on this project, please click here.
Water Mains Coming 2015-2016 Season:
Lincoln - Lawrence to Montrose (Winter 2016)
Lincoln - Addison to Belmont (Winter 2016)
Marshfield - Roscoe to School (Winter 2016)
Newport - Ravenswood to Lincoln (Winter 2016)
School - Around intersection with Marshfield (Winter 2016)
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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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
January 11 Monday 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Understanding &Preventing Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington - Courtroom 2005 (20th Floor)
January 11 Monday 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Introduction to Meditation class each month at Sulzer Regional Library
Sulzer Library, 4455 N Lincoln Avenue
January 11 Monday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Western Ave Corridor Improvement Project Open House
Lane Tech High School Lunch Room, 2501 W. Addison Street
January 13 Wednesday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WARD NIGHT with Alderman Pawar--Jan. 13
47th Ward Alderman's Office, 4243 N. Lincoln Avenue
January 16 Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Spirituality: Aging with An Attitude
Covenant Home of Chicago, 2720 W. Foster Avenue
January 19 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beats 1911 & 1912
Sulzer Library, 4455 N Lincoln Avenue
January 20 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beats 1921, 1922, and 1931
Police Auditorium, 2452 W. Belmont Ave
January 26 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beat 2031
Swedish Covenant Hospital, Anderson Pavilion, 2751 W. Winona Avenue
January 27 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beat 2032
Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church, 4900 N. Damen Avenue
January 30 Saturday 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Trivia Night Live, Pilgrim Lutheran School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 4300 N Winchester Avenue
February 3 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beat 2033
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street
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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