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Friday, October 31, 2025From Albany Park and our surrounding neighborhood communities, brought to you by the North River Commission! |
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Last week our office joined students from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Master of Urban Planning & Policy program and the 33rd Ward Office for the first of two community meetings centered around arts and culture in Albany Park. While we have quite a ways to go with creating a plan that would better direct our work around arts and culture, this community meeting was a great kick-off!
Residents were able to mix and mingle while taking part in a variety of activities such as an adding their favorite public art pieces, community spaces, and businesses to a map of the neighborhood and a “dream neighborhood” collage.
We applaud the UIC students for putting this meeting together, and if you haven’t already, we ask that you fill out the survey that will assist us in creating an arts and culture plan. |
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Standing Together for Our Community
Since October 17th, NRC’s Affected Families Fund has supported neighbors and families facing hardship, providing groceries, household supplies, and essential care.
How you can help: -Donate to the fund -Support local businesses with takeout, delivery, or gift cards -Share this campaign with your network
Together, we can keep our neighborhoods strong, caring, and united. |
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Albany Park Community Ofrendas Now until Monday
We’re hosting five community Ofrendas across Albany Park, and you’re invited to share the memory of your loved ones before they close. They are located at Los Barriles, Dulce de Leche Cafe, Taqueria San Juanito, Restoried Bookshop, and Machetes Big Quesadillas.
Bring a note with their name, a photo, a meaningful trinket, or a favorite treat. Check our map to find a nearby Ofrenda or get materials to create your own- make sure your remembrance is included! |
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Neighborhood Halloween + Day of the Dead Events |
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Free Wellness Day November 8, 10am - 4:30pm InTouch & Motion 4028 W Irving Park Rd, Loft B
Join InTouch & Motion for a free community wellness event featuring yoga, sound baths, acupuncture, massage, tarot readings, and creative arts experiences throughout the day. |
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Tell us your vision for Arts & Culture in Albany Park! November 13, 6pm - 8:30pm 2951 W Montrose Ave
Let’s celebrate our community’s deep diversity, come together in joy and support, and create collective visions for the future.
Take our SURVEY on your experience of neighborhood arts and culture!
Then join us for a TOWN HALL on November 13th to share ideas and help shape the future of arts and culture in our neighborhood. |
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Donate to a Community Food Pantry Starting November 1
SNAP cuts on November 1 will affect members of our community put food security at risk. You can make an impact by donating non-perishable food to our Community Food Pantries across Albany Park
🌎 These pantries are located at: 📍Restoried Bookshop | 4613 N Kedzie 📍The Scent Queens | 3728 W Montrose 📍Nighthawk | 4744 N Kimball
Shop local of you can 🛒 Small and independent grocers rely heavily on SNAP funds, so lets support our neighbors and the small business community!
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| Defending Our Neighbors Town Hall November 4 from 6pm - 8pm Roosevelt High School 3436 W Wilson Ave
Join Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen for updates on what your elected officials, local organizations, and community leaders are doing to support neighbors impacted by ICE activity.
Program includes updates from elected officials and participating organizations, Q&A session, experience sharing, and information on how to get involved through mutual aid, trainings, and more. |
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Winter Clothing Drive 3737 W Lawrence Ave
Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare is accepting donations at their Winter Clothing Drive now through February 2026! |
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Economic Development + Business Resources |
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| Legal Basics Workshop November 12, 10am - 11am 3403 W Lawrence Ave Suite 301 (ring bell to enter)
If you're a business owner or entrepreneur, this is your chance to learn: 🔑 How to safeguard your business from common legal pitfalls. 🤝 When and how to effectively utilize a lawyer to your advantage. This is highly valuable information that could save you time, money, and stress down the road!
Can't make it in person? A virtual attendance option is available! Don't miss out on this essential session with experts from Rudolph Kaplan LLC. |
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Be a part of our Holiday Coupon Book! Now until November 13
Do you have a discount, deal, or special product you would like to promote in December?
You can be a part of our Holiday Coupon Book and draw in shoppers this holiday season!
Don't wait, submit your deals before it's too late! If you're curious what can see our previous year's book here. |
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| Perfect Brunch Bros is hiring!
Do you have experience serving in restaurants? Do you love brunch?
Perfect Brunch Bros is hiring a server, preferably with bilingual (Spanish) skills.
Are you interested in this opportunity? Apply by emailing your resume to perfectbrunchbros@gmail.com |
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Night Market November 13, 7pm - 10pm 4342 N Elston Ave
Join Marisela Gutierrez with Realty of America and Katherine Tapiero of Comparion Insurance Agency to Sip & Shop, and help raise funds for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights |
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Visit the Chicago Business Center (CBC) at NRC! The CBC helps provide business licensing assistance and other resources to small businesses at a local level. To learn more, visit our website! |
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| Fall Nonggi Workshop October 25 - November 15 HANA Chicago Center 4300 N California Ave
Artist Aram Han Sifuentes will facilitate a four-session NongGi (Korean folk banners) making workshop for multi-generational, multi-ethnic immigrant communities in Chicago through storytelling and hands-on creation to achieve immigrant and racial justice.
No prior skill required and family, children friendly! Lunch will be provided at all sessions.
Questions? Email Hahrim Choi at hchoi2@hanacenter.org. |
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30th Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival November 7th - 10th 3429 W. Diversey Ave, #208
The critically acclaimed annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival (CAAJF) is an essential cornerstone for highlighting and documenting the significant role that Asian Americans and their collaborators have in contributing to the city’s historic and vibrant musical landscape since 1995.
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| Power Trip Film Screening November 16 at 1:30pm 2951 W Montrose Ave
Join Movement on Montrose for a film screening and Q&A with the filmmaker behind Power Trip, a film focused on the media culture around high-risk driving.
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Light refreshments will be provided. |
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| City of Chicago Emergency Heating Repair Program Enrollment: 11/01 - 04/01
EHRP offers income-eligible Chicagoland owner-occupied properties with direct assistance to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system.
Qualified contractors perform the work at no cost to the homeowner with funding provided through the Department of Housing (DOH).
The assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
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Do you have housing assistance needs or have housing-related questions?
Contact our housing specialist, Caelin at caelin@northrivercommission.org or call (773) 919-3305 with your inquiries! She can help you access resources related to tenant/landlord rights, homebuyer assistance, financial education, finding a case manager, and accessing city, state, and federal programs. |
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Chicago VS Philly Clean-Off! This ends today!
There’s still time to participate in this epic clean up!
Cleanup Club Chicago and Block By Block Philly lead the efforts. Chicago's top pickers can win prizes like Chicago Fire FC tickets, a $100 Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba gift card, a Chicago Tool Library membership, and Shedd Aquarium passes.
Join thousands in cleaning up streets, parks, and blocks. Every bag counts! |
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Events will take place at the farm at 4815 N Sacramento as well as the AIC at 3401 W Ainslie St. |
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| Green Corn Festival Sunday, 1pm - 6pm
The American Indian Center and Global Gardens Chicago are cohosting a Green Corn Festival! The Green Corn Festival is a historic indigenous festival to celebrate the corn harvest, so come and enjoy the bounty with us!
The days activities will include: -Native seed saving guided walk -Corn husk doll making -Tree tours with @openlands -Fall pollinator scavenger hunt -Canning & Fermentation Class -Pumpkin smash composting -Community meal -Farm & Art Market |
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IEC Environmental Townhalls November 5th-20th
The Illinois Environmental Council wants you to be involved in determining what their state legislative priorities for 2026 should be!
They’ll dive into the policy that will help keep Illinois a national leader in environmental priorities. Local leaders and technical experts will highlight the top issues they can expect our decision-makers to consider in Springfield next year.
This is your chance to tell us which topics matter most to you and why. |
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Join us for a Special Meeting of the Membership Council on Tuesday, November 4th at 6pm. |
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North River Commission Staff For more info, visit the North River Commission staff page: Kay Villamin / Executive Director (nagsasalita ako ng tagalog) Alexia Limas / FORGE Project Director (hablo español) Eve Miller / Community Development Specialist Farah El-Nahal / Economic Development Specialist (أنا أتكلم العربية) Karen Milroy / Economic Development Specialist (mówię po polsku) Caelin Muniz / Economic Development Specialist (hablo español) Elisha Jurewicz / Accounts Manager Sonya Koffman / Parent Mentor Organizer (Я говорю по-русски)
FORGE School Site Coordinators Haugan Forge Coordinator / Samantha Uribe (hablo español) Henry Forge Coordinator / Priscilla Train (hablo español) Peterson Forge Coordinator / Emily Berman Roosevelt Forge Coordinator / Jennifer Aguilera (hablo español)
Parent Mentor Program School Site Coordinators Haugan PMP Coordinator / Lucila Esquivel (hablo español) Hibbard PMP Coordinator / Fatima Suarez (hablo español) Palmer PMP Coordinator / Maria Martinez (hablo español) Cleveland PMP Coordinator / Adriana Cervera (hablo español)
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North River Commission
The nonprofit community and economic development corporation for the Northwest Side of Chicago, from the Chicago River to Cicero and Addison to Devon, which unites 100s of civic associations, businesses, schools, institutions and places of worship to improve the quality of life for all constituents in our community by creating affordable housing, quality education, community safety and resilience, equitable access to health, arts & cultural endeavors, environmental responsibility, and thriving neighborhood businesses.
northrivercommission.org / facebook.com/northrivercommission / @northrivercommission |
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