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Hi neighbors,
Do you know an 8th-12th grader who wants to make a difference and weigh in on issues affecting young people across Chicago? Well, then that student should save the date for our Youth Council’s Back to School event at Chase Park on Thursday 8/27 at Chase Park. We’ll be chatting about the Council’s goals for the coming school year over some delicious snacks.
My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of Alex Blacio, a 16-year-old Lake View High School student tragically killed after being struck by a driver while riding an e-scooter on the 4000 block of Western Ave.
Alex is the third teenager fatally struck by a driver while riding an e-scooter on Chicago roads this year alone. Given the rise in popularity of e-scooters, my office is working with the City’s Department of Transportation to expand safer routes for high school students traveling to and from school, as well as make additional safety improvements near the Western and Irving Park intersection.
As we keep Alex in our thoughts, please note that his family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of medical and funeral expenses.
On Wednesday, my staff and I bid farewell to Veronica Motawi, a Mikva Challenge summer intern who helped dozens of neighbors navigate property tax appeals and other important government services. Please join me in thanking Veronica and wishing her well as she prepares for her freshman year at the University of Michigan.
I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the Ravenswood Feel Good Fest, a new micro-festival that will spotlight wellness, arts, sustainability, and community organizations tomorrow (Saturday).
In addition, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a community bike ride tomorrow morning to celebrate the life and legacy of Riley O’Neil, a City “safe streets” employee who recently died while riding his bike in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
And if you’re a cat lover, you won’t want to miss tomorrow’s Lincoln Square Cat Tour, a walking tour of our Lincoln Square neighborhood that will spotlight dozens of our feline friends.
Yours in service,
Ald Matt Martin
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Street Closures along Ashland Ave
As construction on Ashland reaches it final stages, please expect closures at the following intersections:
- Ashland and Winona
- Ashland and Carmen
- Clark and Carmen
- Ashland and Ainslie
- Ashland and Sunnyside
- Greenview and Sunnyside
Crews will be installing raised crosswalks at these intersections. Local traffic will still be allowed on Carmen between Clark and Ashland, as well as Sunnyside between Greenview and Ashland.
Sign up for Updates
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#78 Bus Service Change
Begins August 23rd
CTA's #78 route will change from Clark to Ashland on 8/23, covering approximately 0.4 miles. This means the #78 will spend approximately two less blocks on Montrose, and two more blocks on Wilson.
This change will provide faster service for the #78 as Ashland provides easier turns at less congested intersections with minimal impact on customers due to the proximity of the two streets.
This change will also allow the #78 to make use of a new bus pad at Ashland/Wilson as part of CDOT's Ashland Arterial Resurfacing.
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Feel Good Fest
Saturday, August 8th
Feel Good Fest is about feeling good, doing good, and fostering meaningful community. An outdoor, block party-style event, the fest will take place on Sunnyside Ave just west of Clark Street, next to the Black Ensemble Theater.
Learn more
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Lincoln Square Cat Tour
Saturday, August 8th
The Lincoln Square Cat Tour is a walking tour where participants explore Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood – meeting local feline residents and celebrating the cats that help make our community special.
Learn more
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Ravenswood Bike Tour
Saturday, August 8th
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and North Branch Works are teaming up for a guided, 5-mile morning bike ride beginning at Rockwell on the River and ending at the all-new Ravenswood Feel Good Fest at Clark and Sunnyside. This is a pay-what-you-can event! Proceeds will be donated to the Chaddick Institute’s Riley O’Neill Memorial Fund.
Learn more
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Book Drive
Starts on August 8th
Drop off your used books, CDs, and DVDs at the 47th Ward Office (4243 N Lincoln) between August 8th and September 9th to be donated to the Bezazian Library book sale.
They do not accept textbooks, magazines, VHS tapes, or cassettes.
Learn more
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Friends of the Parks: Northside Community Dialogue
Thursday, August 13th
Join Friends of the Parks for North Side Community Dialogue, where neighbors can share their vision for the future of Chicago's public spaces. Enjoy light refreshments, good company, and honest conversation about what it will take to keep our parks free and accessible for all. This event will be at Clarendon Park.
Learn more
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Neighborhood Music Walking Tour
Local musicians are organizing a neighborhood music walking tour. Are you a local musician who writes original music? Do you have your music online? Do you live in the neighborhood? Consider submitting your music for an upcoming walking tour of Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, and Uptown.
Learn more
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Volunteer: Ravenswood Art Walk
September 12th-13th
The Ravenswood Art Walk could use a hand taking donations, selling beer tickets, slinging beer, setting up, and breaking down. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt courtesy of Luckyprints, 1 drink ticket, an invitation to a Volunteer Orientation, and an invitation to our end of the year Volunteer Appreciation party. Volunteers must be age 21 or older.
Learn more
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Resources
Business
Workforce
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New Data Center Recommendations
The City of Chicago recently released a new report recommending steps to make data centers more sustainable, including by disclosing water and energy use.
Alderwoman Hadden recently introduced an ordinance that if passed would accomplish this.
Learn more
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Repair Cafe
Saturday, August 8th
Forward Chicago is hosting a Repair Cafe every 2nd Saturday of the month. In this program, Forward Chicago volunteers can repair jewelry, sew clothes, and repair general stuff too depending on the item. Volunteers are unable to repair watches nor properly hem garments. Adults and teens are welcome.
Learn more
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Chicago Fire Department Public Education Programs
Did you know the Chicago Fire Department has a location (1010 S Clinton) where you can access free programs, including:
- Narcan Training
- CPR Training
- Car Seat Inspections
- Virtual Reality Fire Escape
- and more!
Learn more
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Listening Session: Next Police Superintendent
Wednesday, September 2nd
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) announced five community listening sessions across Chicago as part of its nationwide search for the next Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. One listening session will occur in the ward at DePaul College Prep.
Feedback gathered during these sessions will help inform the Commission’s search and evaluation of candidates before it submits three finalists to the Mayor for consideration later this fall, as required by ordinance.
Learn more
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Western Brown Line Construction
CDOT continues addressing their final touches required for project completion in the plaza and surrounding area. The curb adjustment at the bus turnaround entrance has been finished. CTA is scheduling the return of bus service to the turnaround for August 23rd to align with timelines for bus staff schedules, digital map updates, and the installation of additional signage.
Sign up for Updates
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Ashland Resurfacing
The Ashland Arterial resurfacing project is entering its final stages! All asphalt has been poured, nearly all signage has been installed, and pavement markings have been completed.
CDOT will begin constructing the 7 raised crosswalks and bus pad at Ashland and Wilson in the next two weeks! The work will be done in two stages to ensure pedestrian access is maintained. The raised crosswalks will be installed at Sunnyside, Ainslie, Carmen, and Winona. The construction of the raised crosswalks requires traffic detours, Stage 1 of which are included below, with Stage 2 to be included next week.
After the raised crosswalks and Ashland and Wilson bus pad have been completed, CDOT will work schedule the final touch-ups including pavement markings for the newly constructed crosswalks and sewer structure cleanings. These are projected to be completed by mid-October.
Sign up for Updates
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Ainslie Sewer Work
The sewer work at Claremont/Ainslie is projected to finish late next week! Work will then begin at Oakley/Ainslie, closing the intersection, and is projected to take 3-4 weeks before finishing. Local traffic will be allowed on adjacent streets, but during working hours temporary closures may be required for safety.
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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
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Early August
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Feel Good Fest, August 8th, Learn more
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Lincoln Square Cat Tour, August 8th, Learn more
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Ravenswood Community Bike Ride, August 8th, Learn more
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Andersonville Vintage Market, August 9th, Learn more
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Rooted in Song and Resistance, August 10th, Learn more
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Taste of Andersonville, August 12th, Learn more
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Meet Alpacas and Paint Pottery, August 15th, Learn more
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Upcoming Weeks
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End of Summer Party at Bartleby's, August 21st, Learn more
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Thirsty Ears Music Festival, August 22nd-23rd, Learn more
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Saigon Jazz Revival, August 29th, Learn more
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Bike the Drive, September 6th, Learn more
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Twilight Canoe and Kayak, September 13th, Learn more
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Midway 5K, September 13th, Learn more
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Games for Good Food Pantry Fundraiser, September 19th, Learn more
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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:
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47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin
4243 N Lincoln Ave | 773-868-4747
Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
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