On this day in 2002, 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil dies, two days after being struck in the head by a puck at a Columbus Blue Jackets ice hockey game. Cecil's death forced the National Hockey League to take new precautions regarding fan safety.
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Dear Neighbor, The Department of Streets and Sanitation has released the schedule for 2016 residential street cleaning. Street cleaning begins April 1. This year, they will begin the sweeping where it left off in November 2015. We are working with Streets and Sanitation to extend the schedule as long as possible to get as many leaves off of the street as we can, and will update the schedule if it extends beyond what is currently scheduled. To see the interactive map and printable schedule, please click here. Weekly arterial street cleaning begins April 1 as well. Please pay close attention to the permanently posted signs along our arterial streets so you do not receive a ticket.
2016 LV2 Parking The Cubs' home opener is also the first night game of the 2016 season, and will take place on April 11. The Department of Finance plans to mail the LV2 passes to residents with vehicles registered in the LV2 zone late next week, and they should arrive in mailboxes the week of March 28. The double yellow signs all around the LV2 zone will be updated with the dates for 2016 shortly. We expect to have the passes available in our office at the same time they arrive in the mail, and will send out an email message when they are available for those of you who need additional passes, or do not receive them in the mail.
In addition to our regular office hours, we will hold two additional times for people to pick up their LV2 passes. On Saturday, April 2, the 47th Ward Team will be at Resurrection Covenant Church (3901 N. Marshfield) from 10am to 12pm issuing passes. We will also have later office hours from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, April 6.
We will send out an email when the passes are available. For full information on the requirements for obtaining the passes, please click here. If you have any questions about LV2 parking, please contact our office.
Have a great weekend!
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LV2 Cubs Night Game Parking
The Cubs home opener and first night game will be on April 11th. We expect that LV2 passes will be in the mail to residents, and arrive at our office the week of March 28th.
We will send out an email once the passes are available. We'll keep you updated as we get closer to the beginning of the baseball season.
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2016 Block Parties
This year's block party application packet can be found by clicking here, or simply come into the 47th Ward Office to pick one up. The Jumping Jack form for 2016 will be available later this spring. We will add the jumping jack form to the application packet, and give notice of that in our newsletter, when it is available.
For complete information on block parties, please click here.
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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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New Anti-Discrimination Protections for Veterans & Military Personnel
Housing applicants who are rejected by landlords refusing to rent to military personnel or who refuse to accept the G.I. Bill as payment for rent will be able to file a complaint under a new legal protection in Chicago. Similarly, Individuals who are passed over for a job or a promotion because they are a current or former member of the military have a local recourse against the discriminating employer. Chicago has amended its Human Rights Ordinance and Fair Housing Ordinance to address discrimination targeting current and former members of the military. Discrimination on the basis of military status is now prohibited in the City of Chicago in all areas under the Commission on Human Relation's jurisdiction: employment, public accommodations, credit transactions, bonding and housing. This protection includes discrimination targeting individuals on the basis of his/her military discharge status and extends to individuals who are on active duty, or in any reserve component of any branch of any state or Federal armed forces, or a veteran thereof.
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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! Grives you (Holly)Wood, thru April 16. www.cornservatory.org Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, 1422 W. Irving Park Rd. Free Open Mic every Wednesday at 9:00 PM 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- Open at 3851 N. Lincoln Avenue! Comedy created on the spot from audience suggestions like Whose Line is it Anyway? www.laughoutloudtheater.com American Legion Tattler Post 973, 4355 N. Western Ave. Tattler Tales Stand-Up Showcase every third Friday of the month, doors open at 7:00 PM, show at 8:00 PM (18+ recommended) 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. Doo Wop Shoo Bop, Fridays 8 PM, Saturdays & Sundays 3 PM February 14 thru March 19. This melodic look at the Doo Wop era celebrates such iconic groups as The Platters, The Drifters and the Chantels. 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.comMusic 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 Cornelia Arts Building, 1800 W. Cornelia Ave. Open Studio Event, See the working art studios of our talented artists and artisans, meet them directly without intermediaries, and explore their working practices up close, March 11 Friday from 6 to 10 PM. www.CorneliaArtsBuilding.com 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 Chicago Mosaic School, 1806 W. Cuyler Ave. Opus Pleiades, featuring contemporary mosaic works, while classically driven, speak in the feminine voice, thru March 25.
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
Lane Tech High School
Lane Tech High School will host its annual International Nights, highlighting the student body diversity, the week-end of March 18, 2016 in the school's auditorium. The event is an annual student council school fundraiser and features performances by 33 student ethnic clubs. Two new clubs, Scottish and Israeli, will join the production this year.
Also new this year is a community event from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. Clubs will be offering dance lessons, crafts, and information about their different cultures. Anyone who attends the community event will receive $5 off the ticket price for the 2 p.m. show. There are 4 total performances that highlight all 33 groups: Thursday, March 17 at 5 p.m. ($7), Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m. ($10), Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m.($7) and 7 p.m. ($10). Tickets for Friday and Saturday night will not be sold at the door, but may be purchased during school hours in the main office the week of March 14.
Lane Tech's International Nights is in its 46th year of production. Over 900 students are involved in the event and students prepare for 6 months. Ethnic cultures highlighted cover Europe, South America, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East. "International nights is about embracing and celebrating ethnic diversity at our school and in the community," says principal Kathryn Anderson. "This event is an excellent opportunity for our students to give back to the community that supports them in their endeavors at Lane Tech."
Friends of Lane will be hosting its 4th annual Green & Gold Gala, "A Night at the Tropicana" on Friday, April 29 from 7:00pm - 11:00pm at the Ravenswood Event Center (4043 N. Ravenswood). The event will feature a silent and live auction, supper club dining, "Grape Grab" and entertainment from Kitty Devine & the Big Whoop and Lane Tech's International Dance Clubs & Jazz Band. Tickets can be purchased at www.friendsoflane.org. Contact gala.committee@friendsoflane.org for more information.
Amundsen High School
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
Check out the latest newsletter from Lake View Partners.
Coonley Elementary
McPherson Elementary
St. Andrew School German International School of Chicago
St. Benedict School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School
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Dara Reports
If you've taken a walk along the riverbank from Montrose to Berteau you have seen the hard work done over the past 20 yrs. by Riverbank Neighbors. Please stop by Berteau and the River to celebrate the Vernal Equinox on Saturday, March 19th from 12-3pm. River Day May 14 let us know if you'd like to work with neighbors along the river. It's a great opportunity for a scout troop, and a way to earn community service hours. Looking for a family owned thrift store that benefits local non-profits? Look no further: Family Tree Resale/Thrift Store, 5055 N. Lincoln, 312-918-9260 One of their Voucher Partners is Lincoln Square Friendship Center. March 21, 2016: Good France 1000 chefs, 1000 menus on the 5 continents. One of the 11 restaurants selected in the Midwest is the 47th Ward's own: Chez Simo Bistro; Chef Jose' Luis Espino 1968 W. Lawrence; 773-865-7466 (it's BYOB). Ideas for neighborhood safety: Post a "No Trespassing" sign on your front and back door. Install a motion detector light to shine on your backyard and alley. Exchange phone numbers with neighbors and call if you have any concerns. Organize neighbors to do some "positive loitering"; people who do bad things don't want to be seen. Don't leave strollers, bikes or toys outside; they're an invitation. Never open your door to strangers. Stop in our office for: We Call Police signs for you and your neighbors. All of these may seem small and insignificant; however, these little things can help keep us all safer. Love the environment and wish you could learn how to be part of the solution to the problems? This is an exciting opportunity. www.naturemuseum.org/c3 C3 leaders learn from community and environmental leaders about urban sustainability Challenges and opportunities for change, then lead a sustainability service project in your community with support and resources from the Nature Museum.
If you receive a call from the IRS saying that you owe them money? It's a scam. Hang-up! If someone calls saying they're your grandchild in trouble. Hang up and call a family member to verify. Report Scams to Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Hotline: 1-800-243-5377 Do you have a rat problem? With our short, warm winter rat sightings will be on the rise. The Tree House Working Cats Project is 100% successful in getting rid of rats. This is a "green" program that relocates sterilized and vaccinated feral cats that would otherwise be euthanized to places that have problems with rats and mice. The rodents are repelled by the odor of predators and they leave. Compared to the methods that are most commonly used to control rats, which are not only short-term solutions; they are also ineffective because if one rat is eliminated by poisoning, another will take its place. Poison is dangerous to pets and the environment, while Working Cats is 100% effective, humane and environmentally friendly. It's win-win-win situation. The only losers are the rats! Did you know conserving water at home can help improve the Chicago River system? Friends of the Chicago River's Overflow Action Days provides tips for saving water at home and resources to learn more about water quality and treatment throughout Chicago. Interested in learning/playing Bridge? Drop in from 10am-1pm the 1st & 3rd Fridays every month at Sulzer library. Join ace teacher Tana along with 3 tables of bridge players; whose expertise range from beginner to expert. Forward Chicago - all volunteer and grass roots; by us, for us. Create the community you want to live in.
Let's all do something nice for Mother Earth on Saturday, April 23 in celebration of Earth Day! Gather your neighbors and do a few tasks on your block, do a good deed for an elderly neighbor or someone living with a disability. Let us know where you'll be we'll bring a snack. Rather help our local community garden that day? Montrose Metra Community Gardens will be holding a Spring Planting & Clean Up from 10am-12pm; bring the kids and enjoy a day in the gardens with neighbors: southbound Ravenswood from Montrose to Berteau. Or head over to Chase Park to lend a hand to their clean-up efforts. Have extra plastic bags in your house? Take these items to the local Jewel: plastic grocery bags from any retailer, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners bread bags. These recyclables are used to make durable fencing and decking. Another win-win-win: keeping these out of the garbage, getting them out of your house and creating items that are good for the environment.
When does your State of Illinois license plate tag expire? You will not receive a renewal notification. Please mark it on your calendar; there is no grace period. The new tag must be displayed by the end of the expiration month. This next job posting is with Openlands. If you love trees this might be for you. Rain Gardens: Design & Plant Your Own Rain Gardens help prevent flooding and they're lovely. The plants require very little care, as they are natives. You can also, choose plants that will attract bees and butterflies. Wednesday, March 30 - 6:30-8pm at Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
The EPA no longer recommends recycling single use batteries, as they don't contain heavy metals. They can be tossed into your regular black cart garbage.
Please bring your rechargeable batteries to our office anytime. We will be collecting single use batteries during our twice yearly, spring and fall recycling events only. They will be sent to a recycler in Michigan.
How often can eating a pancake breakfast and running a 5k along with like-minded neighbors, make a difference in someone's life? Please join in the Ravenswood Run, April 24th. The proceeds benefit the Ravenswood Community Services Food Pantry at All Saints Episcopal Church and the student Health Centers at Lake View & Amundsen High Schools.
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.
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
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. 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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Western Avenue Viaduct Removal Project
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.
Work on Stage 1 will continue through August 2016. There will be one lane of traffic open in each direction of Western Avenue for the duration of this work. Stage 1, currently underway, includes: removal of the viaduct (complete), 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 5 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 this article 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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47th Ward Infrastructure Update
Water Main Replacement Lincoln Avenue from Belmont to Addison, Marshfield from Roscoe to School, Newborth from Ravenswood to Lincoln & School from Marshfield to 130' east of Marshfield
Contractors working with the Department of Water Management are replacing the water mains from 1890 under the streets detailed above. The contractor has completed installing the new water main, and has begun transferring services. Work on Lincoln Avenue is complete and the restoration contractor will mobilize to cap the trench next week. No Parking will be posted M-F from 7am to 4pm. No parking will be staged to the greatest extent possible. For more information, please click here. Peoples Gas is currently working in the area around this project. They are installing new mains and services on Roscoe from Ashland to Marshfield and working in the intersection on Roscoe & Ashland. This work will be completed the week of March 21st. Water Main Replacement for Lincoln Avenue from Lawrence to Montrose and Wilson from Lincoln to Leavitt Contractors working with the Department of Water Management are replacing the water mains from 1892 under the streets detailed above. No Parking will be necessary M-F from 7am to 4pm, and will be staged to the greatest extent possible. The new water main on Lincoln is being chlorinated, and the contractor expects to begin service transfers next week. The installation of the new main on Wilson from Lincoln to Leavitt is underway. For more information, please click here.
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. Crews have resumed installation of sewer main on Wolcott from Ainslie to Winnemac. The 1800 block of Argyle can be accessed via the N/S alley just east of Wolcott. Sewer installation is expected to be complete in mid or late April 2016. At that point, the contractor will mobilize to begin restoration. 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 Soon:
Ravenswood (east side) from Waveland Avenue to Irving Park Road. (Spring 2016) Dakin from Western Avenue to Campbell Avenue (Spring 2016) Winchester from Lawrence to Wilson & Leland from Damen to Wolcott (Spring 2016)
For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Jim Poole at jim@chicago47.org or 773-868-4747. |
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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
March 25 Friday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMResume Writing 101Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street
March 29 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMCAPS Meeting: Beat 2031Swedish Covenant Hospital, Anderson Pavilion, 2751 W. Winona Avenue
March 30 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMCAPS Meeting: Beat 2032Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church, 4900 N. Damen Avenue
April 2 Saturday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMHawaiian LuauEpiphany UCC, 2008 W. Bradley
April 9 Saturday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AMParent's Night Out NBGCNeighborhood Boys and Girls Club, 2501 W. Irving Park Rd.
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 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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