On this day in 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica, the 24-year-old George Foreman pulls off a stunning upset, defeating reigning champion Joe Frazier in four minutes and 35 seconds to win the heavyweight championship of the world.
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Dear Neighbor, My office receives daily calls and emails about traffic safety around all of our schools. However, in the last few months, we've seen an uptick of calls about the driving behavior of parents on the streets around our schools. This is very concerning. And in response to the complaints, my office has been working with the Chicago Police Department (19th District) to ensure there is a rotation of officers present outside our schools. Officers have been present to ensure drivers come to a full stop at stop signs and they have been writing tickets for blocking crosswalks, double parking, and other safety violations. As one would expect, traffic flows are safe when officers are spot-checking locations --- but then the rolling through stop signs and speeding picks up again once officers leave. We've even had situations where drivers are yelling at parents volunteering as crossing guards. I know some of the traffic problems around schools is also caused by cut-thru drivers attempting to avoid traffic on arterial streets. Ultimately, we all share responsibility in making sure the streets around our schools are safe for our kids.
We all live busy and complicated lives. And we've all sped through neighborhood streets or rolled through stop signs to get to work, a meeting, or an event on time. We've all done it. So today, I am asking everyone to slow down, come to a full stop at stop signs, and help keep the streets and crossings around our schools safe. The easiest solution is simply to leave earlier when you have to travel during school drop-off and pick-up hours. To address the broader issue of traffic flow through our neighborhoods, my office is going to work with block clubs and neighborhood groups to identify traffic calming measures. Examples of traffic calming measures include: - Speed bumps in alleys
- Speed bumps on streets around schools
- Raised crosswalks
- Curb extensions, bump-outs, and bio-swales
- Greenways and contraflow bike lanes
In addition, my office will continue working the Chicago Police Department on traffic enforcement and work with the Chicago Department of Transportation to repaint/paint crosswalks and identify additional signage opportunities around our schools. Please email my office if you have any specific ideas or recommendations.
Here are some additional tips for drivers; drivers should always: - Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits, both in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding the school.
- Comply with local school drop-off and pick-up procedures for the safety of all children accessing the school. If you don't know your school's procedures, please contact your principal.
- Avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks to let children out of the car. Double parking will block visibility for other children and other motorists. Visibility is further reduced during the rain and fog seasons when condensation forms on car windows.
- Prepare to stop for a school bus when overhead yellow lights are flashing. Drive with caution when you see yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on a moving or stopped bus.
- Stop for a school bus with its red overhead lights flashing, regardless of the direction from which the driver is approaching unless the road is a divided highway. Drivers must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion and the red lights stop flashing, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.
- Watch for children walking or bicycling (both on the and on the sidewalks) in areas near a school.
- Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- Watch for children walking or biking to school when backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage.
CAPS Meeting for Beat 2032 Location Change
The 20th District changed the location for an upcoming CAPS meeting. The meeting for Beat 2032 (areas of the 47th Ward north of Lawrence between Clark & Leavitt) will be held on Wednesday, January 27th, 7pm at Amundsen High School (5110 N. Damen).
Thank you and have a safe weekend!  |
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March 15th Primary Election
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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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Western Avenue Viaduct Removal Project - Starting February 2016
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. CDOT hosted an open house to discuss their plans to remove this viaduct.
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. To review the design and other project details, please click here.
This project is expected to take 18-24 months to complete, and traffic lanes on Western Avenue will be reduced/shifted during the various phases of the project to allow for this work.
Stage 1, expected to begin in February or March of 2016 will include: removal of the viaduct, deck replacement on the River Bridge, and roadway construction. The work zone during this phase will extend from the south approach of the Chicago River Bridge north to Roscoe. During this time, there will be only one lane in each direction along Western Avenue. This is the most severe restriction in place during the project, and will last approximately 6 months. Once stage 1 is completed, there will be two lanes of traffic in each direction for the remainder of the project (approx. 18 months). To review the stages of construction and traffic control plan, please click here.
This project will have a profound impact to the travel times along Western Avenue. We will keep you updated as information becomes available on start dates and other important notices once the project gets underway. If you have any questions, please contact the 47th Ward Office.
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Chicago Goes Bagless with Recycling
The Chicago Blue Cart Recycling Program is going bagless. Now, 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 - Opening Soon at 3851 N. 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.
Closed for Renovation-look for a Summer Re-opening
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 thru January 24.
A tribute to women of soul.
www.blackensembletheater.org
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
Access Contemporary Music, 1758 W. Wilson Ave. Showcasing exciting developments in contemporary classical music. www.acmusic.org/attend/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
Alibi Fine Art, 4426 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Downstate: Photographs of Southern Illinois Circa 1975, a solo show of gelatin photographs by David Gremp, opening reception January 23 Saturday 5:30 - 8:30 PM, runs thru March 29.
www.alibifineart.com
OpenWall Chicago, 4243 N. Lincoln Ave.
My City, Our City: An Art Mashup, featuring artists from the Chicago Creative Coalition, thru January 29.
www.chicagocreative.org/cam-15
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
 This is a photo of Snickers the newest member of the Cywinski family, who was recently adopted from PAWS. The family knew they were ready for a dog; the girls could take on the responsibility of walking and caring for him. What's so great about this adoption is that it happened because of meeting Bella, the rescue dog in our office. There are lots of fabulous dogs and cats waiting in shelters and with rescue groups throughout the city.
Winter Safety Tips for Dogs & Cats can be found on our website.
Please double check the renewal sticker on your rear license plate. You may not get a notification from the state; but if it's expired you could receive a ticket
Keep your thumb green this winter at: Gethsemane Gardens Workshop Offerings Sunday, January 24, 2:00pm Tillandsia Air Plants If you know a senior or someone living with a disability living in a single family home, please let us know if they need help with snow removal.
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. Check out the newest Little Free Library on the east end of the 2400 block of Cullom; just steps west of Western.
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) would like to thank all of you who have supported our neighbors and their pets in 2015. FP2's mission is to offer pet food to folks so they can feed their pets during hard times. This also will keep pets with their families versus being brought to a shelter. Our pets are family members. No one should have to choose who is fed and who goes to bed hungry.
In 2015 Friendship Pet Food Pantry helped 372 family's feed 542 dogs and 785 cats. We have also made a commitment to supply litter for clients who have cats.
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 has mobilized to do the same at the intersection of Winnemac and Wolcott. Once final utility work is done at Lawrence, concrete will be poured to grade, and traffic control will be removed. This is expected next week. 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 26 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMCAPS Meeting: Beat 2031Swedish Covenant Hospital, Anderson Pavilion, 2751 W. Winona AvenueWant 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 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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