Flu Shots; Neighborhood Soccer Night

Hi neighbors,

Earlier this year, a City worker dedicated to making our streets safer was tragically killed when a driver opened their door into a bike lane. Accidents like this are preventable, and City leaders need to act. 

One thing we can do right now is hire more traffic engineers — an idea that the Active Transportation Alliance endorsed in a letter that I and 20 of my aldermanic colleagues signed. Expanding the capacity of our Department of Transportation is the first step toward expanding our infrastructure, increasing road safety, and saving lives.

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of joining leaders from several City departments, the Ravenswood Neighbors Association, and the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce to cut the ribbon on the recently completed Winnslie Parkway expansion! This dynamic stretch of Ravenswood Ave north of Lawrence now features additional community gardens, walking paths, protected bike lanes, and raised crosswalks. I’d like to give a special acknowledgement to Stephen Christy for helping design and develop the original portion of the Parkway, and to Mark Weber for shepherding the Parkway’s expansion.

I also met with leaders from the Chicago Park District for an update about the grubs at Welles Park. The District will be treating the fields at Welles three times a year with different chemicals based on where any remaining grubs may be in their life cycle. None of the chemical treatments will require field closures; however, closures may need to happen to let any new grass seed or sod take root.

The Park District and I also agreed to replace the surface of the playground at Welles, which has become quite worn down due to regular use. My office will allocate $100,000 in local infrastructure funds to help ensure a full replacement takes place.

I hope you all have a restful weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the DANK Haus’s annual Oktoberfest celebration tomorrow (Saturday) between 6:30pm and 11:30pm.

You can also join the Chicago Stars for the 47th Ward Neighborhood Night on Sunday at 4 PM. If you purchase directly through this link, they're offering a 50% discounted offer.

And our office’s annual free shredding event is taking place tomorrow 9am to 11am at the Jewel Osco parking lot at 4250 N Lincoln—rain or shine! We’ll be accepting paper for shredding and all types of electronics for recycling. I hope you can join us.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Saturday, October 17th

We're partnering with Walgreens to provide flu vaccines at a convenient neighborhood location. Stop by St Ben's Gymnasium on Saturday, October 17th from 10 AM to 1 PM to get your annual flu vaccine.

Please bring proof of insurance. A limited number of vouchers are available for individuals who are uninsured.

As an added bonus, you'll be able to buy guest parking passes and renew your City Sticker on-site!

Learn more

Free Art Class

Saturday, October 3rd

Join us for a free community art class at the North Center Farmers Market on Saturday, October 3 at 12 PM!

Artists of all ages and experiences are welcome to participate in this art class guided by Ms. Pearlmutter, the art teacher at Bell Elementary. Participants will explore the art of drawing trees.

After the class, you're welcome to submit your work to display at the 47th Ward Office Fall Showcase.

Learn more

DANK Haus Oktoberfest

Saturday, September 19th

At the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, Oktoberfest is more than a festival—it's an authentic celebration of German heritage, traditions, and Gemütlichkeit. Join us on Saturday, September 19, from 6:30–11:30 PM in our historic Marunde Ballroom for an evening of authentic German food, imported beer, live music, traditional games, and warm hospitality.

Learn more

Taste of Uptown

Wednesday, September 30th

The 10th Annual Taste of Uptown is an event that celebrates Uptown's amazing cultural and culinary diversity. This restaurant crawl will feature small bites and samplings from Uptown eateries. Participants will receive an event passport and stroll from restaurant to restaurant along Uptown's business corridors, enjoying samples at various locations.  

Learn more

Apple Fest

October 2nd-4th

Stroll along Lincoln Avenue and shop fresh-picked apples, cider and seasonal favorites from Midwest farms; dig into creative apple-inspired dishes and festival eats from local restaurants and food vendors; sip hard and non-alcoholic ciders, seasonal beers and more; and browse a bustling marketplace filled with artists, makers and local businesses.

Learn more

Tree Trimming Schedule

In the coming weeks, Forestry will be focused on trimming trees on the following blocks:

• 4400 N Hamilton
• 4500 N Hamilton
• 4600 N Hamilton
• 4700 N Hamilton

As a reminder, our office cannot accept requests to trim individual trees. Forestry trims trees block-by-block, which is much more efficient.

Forestry cannot estimate when your specific tree will be trimmed beyond providing us the blocks they are currently focused on.

Candidate Forum: School Board District 2B

Monday, September 28th

Chicago will have its first fully elected school board, including the president and local board members, in 2027. Join the area neighborhood associations and hear from the 2B district candidates before the November 3 election. The forum will be at Senn High School from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.

Not sure of your school board district? Help a friend find theirs? Enter your address here.

New SNAP Benefits at Andersonville Farmers Market

The Andersonville Farmers Market is offering an additional market match, which will provide up to $15 a week for Link/SNAP cardholders to use for any link approved purchase.

• Swipe your Link/SNAP Card
• Receive Tokens for your SNAP approved items
• Receive the new additional match (up to $15/week) in AFM vouchers to purchase SNAP approved items
• Receive a one-to-one match with LinkUp IL vouchers, good for any fresh produce purchase

Learn more

Volunteer: Midnight Circus in the Parks

September 25-27 & October 2-4

Welles Park Advisory Council is looking for volunteers to support 9 performances by local family-run Midnight Circus. Performances take place September 25-27 and October 2-4.

Learn more

North Center Sustainability Market

Sunday, September 27th

Put on your reusable party hat and join us at our annual Sustainability Market! Whether you’re just starting your eco-journey or you’re a seasoned veteran, this is your chance to connect with local businesses, artists and organizations all focused on making Chicago more sustainable.

Learn more

Neighborhood Author Book Release

Indie author, Carolyn Johnson, located in Ravenswood just released her book, YES, CHEF. It's a romcom that follows wedding planner Addison Clark (yes, really) as she coordinates events all over the city and falls reluctantly in love with catering chef Xander Devereaux. It showcases the neighborhood, too, including Willow Cafe and Welles Park.

Learn more

Meeting: Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

Thursday, September 24th

Join the Commission to explore officer wellness and the search for Chicago’s next Superintendent.

Panel discussion featuring guest speakers:

• Dr. Robert Sobo, Director, Employee Assistance Program, Chicago Police Department
• Allyson Clark Henson, Executive Director, CPD Office of Constitutional Policing
• Laney Chace, Senior Manager, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Learn more

Ashland Resurfacing

All raised crosswalk construction and concrete curing is complete! Final pavement markings and sewer structure cleaning are projected to be done by mid-October. The new No Parking signs on Ashland between Lawrence and Winnemac are due to the final stages of a separate residential lighting project that was paused for the Arterial Resurfacing. The residential lighting project has already installed the new light poles. They are projected to finish removing the old light poles by 9/25. No Parking signs will come down as these poles are removed.

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This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

This Weekend

• Harvest Jam, September 18th-19th, Learn more
• Free Shredding Day, September 19th, Learn more
• DANK Haus Oktoberfest, September 19th, Learn more
• Games for Good Food Pantry Fundraiser, September 19th, Learn more
• Southport Neighbors Yard Sale, September 19th, Learn more
• Bezazian Book Sale, September 19th-20th, Learn more

Late September

• Davis Theater Screening: Silenced, September 22nd, Learn more
• Midnight Circus in the Parks, September 25-27th, Learn more
• Andersonville Arts Weekend, September 25th, Learn more
• Children's Resale Event, September 26th, Learn more
• Sustainability Market, September 27th, Learn more
• Yoga at Ravenswood Fellowship, September 27th, Learn more
• Taste of Uptown, September 30th, Learn more
• Dance on the Sunnyside Mall, September 30th, Learn more

October

• What the Constitution Means to Me Theatre, October 1st, Learn more
• I Am Your Neighbor Party, October 2nd, Learn more
• Apple Fest, October 2nd-4th, Learn more
• Community Art Class, October 3rd, Learn more
• Spooky Bike Ride, October 7th, RSVP
• Office Hours with Senator Duckworth's Office, October 9th, Learn more
• Oktoberfestiversary, October 10th-11th, Learn more
• Senn-toberfest, October 16th, Learn more
• Mobile City Hall and Vaccine Clinic, October 17th, Learn more
• Cornelia Arts Studio Open House, October 16th-17th, Learn more
• Lincoln Roscoe Beer Stroll, October 17th, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood