For the fourth consecutive year, an ice skating rink will welcome skaters to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field this winter, thanks to the generosity of the Ricketts family and Chicago Cubs Charities, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, local businesses and community groups. The rink opens on Friday, November 23 with a grand opening ceremony planned for Friday, November 30. For more information on the Rink at Wrigley, including hours and admission and skate rental fees, call 773-525-1638 or visit the Rink at Wrigley website.

Our local chambers of commerce are making it easier for us to shop local this holiday season.

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce: Start saving your receipts! It's time for the 16th Annual Giver's Gift holiday shopper rebate program! Simply collect $300 in receipts from at least three different Lakeview East businesses ($25 minimum purchase, $100 maximum on groceries/liquor, no prescriptions or memberships) and bring them into the LVECC office located at 3138 N. Broadway for a free $50 gift card! Certain rules apply. And, save the date for LVECC's 3rd Annual Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday, December 1 to save 25% on LVECC gift cards and visit participating businesses for specials and promotions. For more information, click here.

Lakeview Chamber of Commerce: Shop locally and save your receipts! For every $300 spent at a minimum of 5 SHOP Lakeview participating merchants through December 3, you receive $50 back. Whether dinners on Lincoln or a haircut on Southport, computer repairs on Ashland or a massage on Belmont, your receipts will add up before you know it! Mail or deliver your receipts to the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce to receive your $50 in SHOP Lakeview dollars!

Northalsted Business Alliance: Northalsted Holiday Bucks are back! This holiday season when you buy a Northlasted Gift Card, you automatically get an extra 20% value on your card. For example, purchase a $100 gift card and get $120 on your gift card! The best part? The Northalsted Gift Cards can be used at over 70 locations on Halsted between Belmont and Broadway.

For other opportunities to donate or volunteer in our neighborhood, please take a look at my past e-newsletter.

Old Town Merchants and Residents Association
The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association is collecting items for Deborah's Place, Chicago House, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls through the Old Town Charity Drive. Nonperishable food items, toiletries, new winter coats and clothing, and new and unwrapped toys will be collected through December 16th at a number of participating Old Town businesses (see website for full list).

18th District Police
The 18th District Police are collecting non-perishable food items through December 15th. Items will be donated to Near North homeless and needy families and can be dropped off at the Community Policing Office at 1160 N. Larrabee. The station is also collecting new gloves, mittens, scarves and socks for adults and children. For more information, call 312-742-5778 or email caps018@chicagopolice.org.

44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney
Alderman Tunney's annual donation drive is underway to benefit the House of the Good Shepherd, Vital Bridges, Lakeview Pantry and The Crib. Drop off your items until December 28 at Alderman Tunney's office located at 1057 West Belmont. For a full list of personal care products and cleaning products requested, click here.

Hawthorne Neighbors, Bi-Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, November 27, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Resurrection Lutheran Church Education Building, 1050 West School

Hawthorne Neighbors' goals are to provide a forum for neighbors to discuss quality of life issues, to provide our neighbors with information that impact their lives as residents, and to offer our voice to the Alderman's office on licensing, zoning and other issues in our area. Frequently discussed items include: activities at Wrigley Field, zoning variance requests, liquor license applications including outdoor patio (beer garden), sidewalk café permits, crime, nuisance issues (trash, noise, public drinking), mail delivery and parking.


Wrigley Field Tree Lighting Ceremony, Toy Drive and Rink Grand Opening
Friday, November 30, 5:00 pm
Wrigley Field, Addison & Clark

Join the Chicago Cubs and your neighbors for the tree lighting ceremony and ice rink grand opening at Wrigley Field. There will be a free skate from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and refreshments will be available. Neighbors are asked to bring a wrapped toy to be placed under the holiday tree to be donated to the Chicago Cubs Charities Toy Drive.


North Dearborn Association, Joy of Toys
Saturday, December 1, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Mario's Gold Coast Ristorante, 21 West Goethe

Save the date for the North Dearborn Assocation's 20th annual "Joy of Toys" holiday toy drive and wrap party. Gifts will be donated to the students attending George Manierre School and Catherine Ferguson Child Parent. Admission requires a new, unwrapped gift valued at $20 for a child 4 to 10 years old. For more information, please visit the North Dearborn Association website.


Ald. Michele Smith's Holiday Party & Potluck
Monday, December 3, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
43rd Ward Service Office, 2523 North Halsted

Join Alderman Michele Smith and her staff at a open house and potluck! Stop by the ward office and bring your favorite dish to share while you mingle with other residents of the ward. Please contact her office at 773-348-9500 with any questions.


Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 4, 6:00 pm
MINI of Chicago, 1111 West Diversey

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and MINI of Chicago are hosting a fabulous and fun holiday soiree featuring entertainment by the cast of the smash hit musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. MINI Bites from Lincoln Park restaurants, open bar, a silent auction and a raffle with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Lakeview Pantry. Tickets purchased in advance are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Tickets purchased at the door are $50 per person. For more information, call the LPCC Office at 773-880-5200 or visit the LPCC website.


Buena Park Neighbors, Litter Patrol
Saturday, December 8, 10:00 am
Meet at the Parking lot of KFC, Buena and Broadway

Come join your neighbors as we pick up litter. We will meet at the KFC parking lot and then spread out throughout the neighborhood to pick up litter. We have broken Buena Park into four quadrants, and we will be sending teams out to each one to pick up litter. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded neighbors and help the community. We expect to be finished by noon and then, for those who wish, go to lunch together. Gloves and garbage bags will be supplied.