Tree Trimming; Earth Day Events

Hi neighbors,

One of the backbones of our Ward is the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor. For decades, this two-mile stretch of Ravenswood Ave has housed light and heavy manufacturing businesses that employed thousands of workers who also patronized dozens of nearby restaurants, coffee shops, and taverns. But with manufacturing activity fading, we’ll need to be more creative in maintaining the Industrial Corridor as one of the north side’s key employment hubs. 

Earlier this week, I met with leaders from the Ravenswood Neighbors Association and the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce to re-review portions of the City’s 2019 Corridor Framework and identify steps we can collectively take to keep current businesses in the Corridor and attract new ones.

On Monday, my office co-hosted a Property Tax Workshop with the Cook County Assessor’s Office at Chase Park. If you missed the event but want to learn more, you can watch a recording of the Property Tax Workshop.

I hope you all have a restful weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the Art Institute to admire their CPS student showcase. It’s free to the public and can be accessed from the museum’s Monroe Ave entrance.

And if you’re a music lover, check out a recent spotlight of Lake View High School's ongoing collaboration with the Lyric Opera. As a former student musician, it’s especially heartwarming to see music educators at Lake View and the Lyric come together to provide top-notch instruction and enrichment to our children.

Finally, as Earth Month celebrations kick into high gear, you can play a direct role in helping keep our community clean and healthy. For example you can take food waste to a City composting drop-off site, or plant flowers or produce using seeds from Sulzer’s seed library!

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Western CTA Plaza Nears Completion

Crews began installing new pavers for the Western Brown Line Plaza this week, a sign that the long awaited project is nearing completion.

We're excited for the plaza to open back up to the public in May, which will include new plantings, pavers, and lighting.

Sign up for updates

Ashland Resurfacing: Next Phase Beginning

The next phase of the Ashland Resurfacing project is underway. Crews will be focused on resurfacing Ashland from Montrose to Foster.

In the next few weeks, nearby residents can expect daytime parking restrictions and traffic delays. Here's an overview of the next few weeks:

• Ainslie, Winnemac, Carmen: Sewer work has already begun
• Lawrence to Foster: New curb extensions, sidewalks, gutters start next week
• Montrose to Lawrence: Sewer work and concrete work starts in next two weeks

Sign up for updates

Solar Options for Renters & Owners

Wednesday, April 15th

Learn how to access solar power and electrify your home, regardless of whether you own or rent! Do you want to explore solar but don't know where to start?

If so, this is the event for you! We will be featuring presentations from experts at Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Electric Home Company. These presentations will outline options for both homeowners and renters, so nobody will be left out.

Learn more

Chip the Parkway Volunteer Day

Saturday, April 11th

Join your neighbors in restoring and cleaning up the Winnslie Parkway Gardens across from 5003 N Ravenswood. They'll be restoring the pathway with wood chips, mulching trees, and removing litter. Bring closed toed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty! Coffee and donuts provided.

Learn more

Student Art Showcase

Monday, April 20th

Join us at the 47th Ward Office for a Student Art Showcase on Monday, April 20th at 6 PM. We will feature work from McPherson 3rd-5th graders and Coonley 7th graders. We’re excited to debut these vibrant paintings and collages, which will remain on display in the office for several months following the event.

More details announced soon. If your local student wants to display their art in our gallery this spring, please feel free to email us.

Learn more

Tree Trimming Underway

With the start of Spring, Forestry is beginning tree trimming again. They will be working in the neighborhood every Thursday for the next few months.

In recent years, they've gotten twice as fast at trimming trees by improving their process. The trade-off: they are not accepting individual tree trim requests. Instead, they're working block-by-block to trim all of the trees.

Due to these changes, our office cannot provide an estimated date for your tree trim, but you can reference the included map to see where they're working now, and which areas they've completed in recent years.

Learn more about the process

Volunteers Needed: Welles Park

The Welles Park Advisory Council is seeking volunteers to support the Gazebo concerts, clean-ups, greening initiatives, and marketing. If you want to get more involved in our community, meet your neighbors, and improve our local park, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Learn more

Apply: Free Higher Education Program

Applications Due June 15th

Are you interested in earning a college degree, but cost has been a barrier? The Odyssey Project is accepting applications for a free college program to help income-eligible adults jump start their education. Classes start in late August and end in late April. Classes meet twice a week for two hours.

Learn more

Local Summer Camp Guide

Welcome to the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce’s guide to local summer camps!

Step into a world of imagination and exploration with camps that are designed to inspire young minds and foster their passion for creativity. They've collected exciting places in our community where fun-filled experiences and lasting summer memories await.

Learn more

Documentary Film Festival at Davis Theater

April 30th - May 3rd

The Doc10 Film Festival premieres 10 highly curated documentary films in Chicago, including films screened at Sundance and and other major festivals. And it's right here in Lincoln Square!

Learn more

Resources

Business



• Apple Fest Vendor Interest, Learn more
• Square Roots Vendor Interest, Learn more
• Chicago Airport Small Business Summit, May 12, Learn more

Workforce

• Illinois Department of Human Services Job Fair, April 16th, Learn more
• Chicago Transit Hiring Fair, April 22nd, Learn more
• Chicago Public Health Jobs, Learn more
• Chicago Fire Department Career Exploration, Learn More
• Cook County Assessor Hiring, Learn more

Free Oak Trees

Help restore our urban tree canopy! Plant a free oak tree provided by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

You can pick up your oak sapling any Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM at a water reclamation plant, like the one at 3500 Howard St in Skokie.

Trees reduce flooding, lower temperatures, provide habitat for wildlife, and lower utility bills. MWRD has distributed more than 100K trees since the start of this program.

Learn more

Repair Cafe

Saturday, April 11th

Repair Cafe will be at Sulzer Library this Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM. In this program, volunteers can repair jewelry, sew clothes, and repair general stuff depending on the item. Volunteers are unable to repair watches nor properly hem garments.

Learn more

Lakeview Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 18th

Going green has never been easier with the returning Lakeview Earth Day Celebration, tech recycling, and donation drive in the Blaine Elementary Parking Lot. They'll be accepting household furniture in functional condition and non-salvageable technology items.

Learn more

Apply: Police Accountability Community Advisory Council

Applications Due April 30th

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is searching for members of the community to join their Community Advisory Committee.

The committee creates transparent dialogue with community, and provides input on topics affecting City of Chicago residents.

Learn more

Free Steering Wheel Locks for Honda Owners

Due to airbag thefts throughout the community, the 19th District Community Policing Office is handing out free steering wheel clubs for Honda owners. Recipients must call to reserve a club and be able to confirm they live in the 19th Police District (south of Lawrence in 47th Ward), as supplies are limited.

Call 312-744-0064

Western Brown Line Construction

Installation of the Western Plaza pavers is underway! Next week, irrigation will be installed for landscaping in the plaza, followed by shrubs and other greenery. 

Sign up for Updates

Ashland Resurfacing

This week, crews have been hard at work on the concrete medians between School and Montrose. Weather permitting, the medians should be complete next week. 

Sewer work at Ainslie, Winnemac, and Carmen is starting this week and will continue for the next few weeks as crews prepare the intersections for repaving. Neighbors should expect to see some parking restrictions around these intersections. From Lawrence to Foster, concrete work including curb extensions, new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and new ADA ramps will begin between next week. Sewer and concrete work between Montrose and Lawrence is expected to begin in the next two weeks. 

Sign up for Updates

This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• ComEd Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

This Week

• North Branch Works Brewery and Distillery Tour, April 9th, Learn more
• Sounds of 1980s Germany Exhibit Opening Weekend, April 11th-12th, Learn more
• Chip the Parkway, April 11th, Learn more
• Solar Options for Renters, April 15th, Learn more
• Austrian Wine Tasting, April 17th, Learn more
• Mortified Chicago: Fundraiser for Minnesota Immigrant Rights, April 17th, Learn more
• St Andrews Purse Bingo, April 17th, Learn more

Next Week

• Ravenswood Puzzle Swap, April 19th, Learn more
• Free Yoga, April 19th, Learn more
• Welles Park Bird Walk, April 19th, Learn more
• Carlson Community Services Free Concert, April 19th, Learn more

Future Weeks

• Student Art Gallery, April 20th, Learn more
• Obsttorte Cooking Class, April 25th, Learn more
• Toast of Uptown Wine Walk, April 26th, Learn more
• Ravenswood 5K, April 26th, Learn more
• Lake View High Alumni Spaghetti Dinner, April 30th, Learn more
• Historical Lecture: Ships that Made Chicago Headlines, April 30th, Learn more
• Haitian Book Club, April 30th, Learn more
• National Tennis Month at Welles Park, May 2nd, Learn more
• Chicago River Day, May 9th, 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