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Welcome to our new members: Build Scale Prosper, Colour.Fix.Art, Cityside Center for Spiritual Living, Compassionate Veterinary Hospice and In Home Euthanasia, Nathaniel J. Baskin: Certified Personal Trainer, Peak Wealth Planning, Salon Élan Vital, Smooth House Laser, The Silver Line, and Yoga Horizons of Chicago.
And a thanks to our returning members for their continued support: Big Teeth Productions, Common Pantry, Flora 47 Peace Merchants, Gnome Brew, German International School of Chicago, Groundswell Coffee Roasters, Lena Rose Beauty, My Buddy's, Neighborly, R&A Sourdough, The Attractivators, and The Twentieth.
| | There's a Facebook group just for Ravenswood! Click here to connect with neighbors about community issues, events, neighborhood-specific questions, and more. | | |
·Block Club: Ravenswood’s Mint Home Furniture, Neighboring Dry Cleaners Devastated By Fire - "A GoFundMe is raising money to help pay for damages to the vintage furniture store, totaled in a fire that broke out Friday at Crystal Cleaners next door." Read More
Donate directly to support relief for Crystal Cleaners and Mint Home via their GoFundMe pages.
·WGN Spotlight Chicago: Kanin: Hot New Bodega In Ravenswood - "In Ravenswood, near Damen and Foster there’s a new eatery that’s going viral on social and media is raving about. Kanin means cooked rice in Tagalog in the Philippines." 🎥 Watch Here
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·Block Club: Line-Dancing Seniors Take Over Carol’s Pub - "It’s 4 p.m. on a chilly Tuesday afternoon, and even though beloved country music bar Carol’s Pub just opened for the day, the dance floor next to the raised stage and portraits of Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson is filling up with those itching to get their groove on." Read More
·Chicago YIMBY: Work Continues Below Grade At 1950 West Lawrence Avenue - "Work continues below street level on the new residential building at 1950 West Lawrence Avenue in Ravenswood. Vista Group Realty is developing up a five-story, 12-unit building here, formerly the site of a terra-cotta faced furniture store, and long before that, a Jewel grocery." Read More
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·4/12, Open House at Dandelion Therapeutic Art Center - Join DTAC for a celebration of art and the one-year anniversary at their Montrose location! Tour the space, make some art (to take home and display), and learn how art therapy heals and transforms! 2-4pm, 1628 W Montrose Ave, FREE More Info
·4/12, Monthly Pop-Up Market at Platform 47 - Shop local vendors selling handmade crafts and foods while sipping delicious cocktails! Every second Saturday of the month. 12-4pm, 4709 N Damen Ave, FREE More Info
·4/12, Family Yoga at Pistachio Yoga - This fun, interactive Family Yoga session is ideal for parents children under 12 years old and all skill levels, making it the perfect opportunity for families to come together and share the joy of yoga! 3-3:45pm, 5206 N Damen Ave, $19 More Info
·4/12-4/13, Chicago Artisan Market at Artifact Events - The Chicago Artisan Market returns to Ravenswood for its Spring Market with 100+ talented local artisans in food, fashion, home goods & art. 11am-5pm, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, $8 More Info
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·4/13, Rendezvous Arts at Artifact Events - Axiom Brass Quintet presents a passionate affair with the romance, mystery, and intrigue of Latin Music. Donna Castellanos will be the featured artist for this program! 2:30pm, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, $30 More Info
·4/13, Bellydancing Masterclass at Joel Hall Dancers & Center- Ashorina, co-founder of Safire Belly Dancers, brings the magic of Middle Eastern dance to life. Dancers of all levels - and those who are new and curious - can get a deeper appreciation of the featured technique. 1-3pm, 4511 North Clark St, $25 More Info
·4/15, Social Justice Film Series at North Park Elementary School - The NPES Social Justice Film Series extends key aspects of their curriculum to a broader audience. Their next film, Anxious Nation, will be followed by a conversation with the filmmaker. 6:30pm, 2017 W Montrose Ave, FREE More Info
·4/17, Guided Meditation at Bergen Counseling Collective- Experience a candlelight guided meditation designed to align your mind, body, and spirit with the energy of spring renewal. 7pm, 4525 N Ravenswood Ave Suite 202, FREE More Info
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4/17, Munch March Dessert & Appetizer Crawl
Emerge from your winter hibernation for an evening of delicious sweets and crunchy treats! This April, Ravenswood businesses are teaming up for the Munch March - an evening of bite-sized snacks, drinks, and exploration along Montrose Avenue. Only a handful of tickets left!
Participants Include:
| | Tickets include 14+ tasting-sized portions of desserts, appetizers, and beverages, a Ravenswood canvas tote bag, and some goodies from our partners. This event is 21+ and will be held rain or shine. 5:30-8:30pm, along Montrose Ave, $26 More Info | | |
·4/19, Ravenswood Cleanup Day - Last year, Ravenswood Neighbors Association joined forces with over 60 neighbors, students, and local elected officials to grab coffee, have a conversation, and pick up over 470 pounds of trash in our streets and alleys. Meet at the corner of Sunnyside and Ravenswood Ave for coffee, tool pickup, and the official event kick-off! 9am-12pm, Ravenswood Ave and Sunnyside Ave More Info
·4/19, Last Day on Damen Avenue at Ponnopozz and District - Join two of your favorite Ravenswood small businesses to wish them well as they prepare to relocate their storefronts! Sales, specials, and celebrations will commence! 10am-6pm, 4839-4835 N Damen Ave More Info
·4/19-20, Wrestlemania at Begyle Brewing - Head to Begyle's taproom for two full nights of epic WWE championship match ups! On Saturday, American comfort food will be available for purchase from The Urban Dining League. On Sunday, the taproom gets a visit from the El Zorro Tacos food truck. 6-10pm, 1800 W Cuyler Ave More Info
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·4/24, Men's Mental Health & Sexuality Group at Bergen Counseling Collective - In a world where societal expectations often stifle open conversations for men, this 4-week group offers men a unique space to explore their sexual identity and expression in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Thursdays at 7pm, 4525 N Ravenswood Ave Suite 202 More Info
·4/27, Ravenswood Run - The 29th annual Ravenswood Run returns! The event also serves as a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services' Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, a staple in the community that provides meals and groceries to neighbors in need. Read More
·4/27, Spring Studio Opening at Sophia Reyes - Shop the new Sophia Reyes spring collection at the atelier! The event will feature guest jewelry designer Michelle Starbuck and ceramicist Jessica Egan of Little Fire Ceramics. 10am-5pm, 4039A N Ravenswood Ave More Info
·View Our Full Community Calendar
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·Pollo Express Now Open - Calling all Pollo lovers! Pollo Express, the family-owned Mexican restaurant well-regarded for its authentic dishes, has officially opened up their Ravenswood location at 1967 W Lawrence Ave. Stop in on Mondays and Wednesdays to buy a Whole Chicken Combo and get a Half Chicken FREE! Read More
·New Brunch Menu at Gio's Bar & Grill - Gio's is proud to serve brunch to the Ravenswood community on Thursday and Friday nights from 3:30-10pm and weekends from 11am-2pm with $20 bottomless mimosas! Plus, during the entire month of April, Gio's will be matching donations up to $200 for the Evanston Animal Shelter at check out time! Read More
·BartleBike Kickstarter - Bartleby’s is launching a Kickstarter to raise money for a smile machine, AKA a bike-powered ice cream cart! It's the most wonderful way to bring their homemade ice cream treats to outdoor events and parties around the city—insulated, cute, and eco-friendly. They have a lot of exciting rewards to offer, featuring delicious ice cream, swaggy merch, and special experiences! Read More
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What's Up on Malt Row?
·4/12, Brew a Witbier at Gnome Brew - In this class you will help brew a beer using Gnome Brew's 1 Hour Brew system from start to finish, just like you would at home, to make 2.5 gallons of beer--about a case of 24 12 oz. bottles. 12pm, 2026 W Montrose Ave, $40 More Info
·4/16, Houseplant Workshop at Dovetail Brewery - Do you love plants? Need an excuse to make some plans? Join the Uncommon Plant Guy, Chicago’s houseplant expert, for an evening at Dovetail for some hands-on fun where you’ll learn to craft your own kokedama- a stunning Japanese moss ball planter. 6:30-8pm, 1800 W Belle Plaine Ave, $75 More Info
·5/24-5/25, Mayfestiversary - Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery host their annual spring party! Welcome back Chicago’s best season, celebrate Dovetail's 8th anniversary, and help raise funds for The Friendship Center food pantry. The weekend will include food trucks, live music, family-friendly fun, and of course lots of excellent beer! 11am-10pm, 1800 W Cuyler Ave More Info
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·New Spring Classes Announced at Maydel - Whether you’re looking for the gentlest possible introduction to embroidery or an in-depth technique intensive, chances are you’ll find it at Maydel. Choose from a variety of classes hosted by visiting instructors or beloved locals! More Info
·Pottery Painting Classes at Color Me Mine - Pottery painting is a truly magical and inclusive experience that transcends age and skill levels. Unlock your inner artist, create cherished memories, and take home beautiful ceramic masterpieces at Color Me Mine! More Info
·Spring Shorts at Chicago Printmakers Collaborative - These abbreviated courses focus on techniques that are not usually covered in our traditional classes. Learn drypoint, monotype, mezzotint, watercolor screen printing, or see demonstrations of a number of different printmaking techniques. Visiting Artist Sarah Smelser will be in town again to offer her very popular Monotype workshop. More Info
·Spring Registration Now Open at Lillstreet Art Center - Spring is in the air—and so are new opportunities to learn, make, and explore! Class and workshop registration is now open, with offerings across Ceramics, Metalsmithing, Printmaking, Textiles, and more. Whether you’re looking to try something new or build on your skills, there’s a seat waiting for you. More Info
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Creative Calendar
·4/12, Upcycle Puppet Making 101 at Jenny G's Art Supply - Taught by Abi Hyatt, puppet maker extraordinaire, this workshop will teach you how to use found items to intuitively craft a unique Puppet! 12:30-3:30pm, 1926 W Montrose Ave, $60 More Info
·4/18, Pressed Flower Frame Workshop at Bon Femmes - Join Bon Femmes for a dreamy evening of floral crafting to celebrate spring! Using a curated selection of gorgeous dried florals, you’ll craft your own floral collages and assemble them into beautiful pressed flower frames. 6-8pm, 4917 N Damen Ave, $55 More Info
·4/19, Mother's Day Mugs at Lillstreet Art Center - Treat mom to her very own handmade mug. Decorate the surfaces with patterns, textures, and glazes that your mom will love. On Mother’s Day, give her a sweet surprise by bringing her coffee in a mug that she’ll cherish forever. 10am-12pm, 4401 N Ravenswood Ave, $50 More Info
·5/5, Intro to Neon (4 Week Workshop) at Lightwriters Neon - This introductory class teaches basic glass bending, cutting, and splicing. Each student combines their favorite bends to create their own organically shaped neon light! The workshop includes all necessary supplies and will cover safety techniques for working with glass and glassblowing torches. No experience required. 7-9:30pm, 4222 N Ravenswood Ave, $540 More Info
| | Business Resources & Workshops | | |
5/2, Therapist's Row: Networking for Mental Health Professionals
Calling all local therapists and mental health professionals! Join the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Mind Chicago at Begyle Brewing for “Therapist’s Row”- a networking happy hour just for therapists and mental health professionals on May 2nd.
| | Your suggested donation includes admission, your first beer, and snacks from a local restaurant. All donations will go to the International OCD Foundation. 4-6pm, 1800 W Cuyler Ave, $5 Suggested Donation. More Info | | |
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) recently announced that the Community Development Grant (Small and Medium sized funding) is currently accepting applications through August 15th, 2025. Apply Now.
The City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Small, Medium and Large Community Development Grant (CDG) awards to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments that create and maintain jobs and quality-of-life improvements for local residents. Applications are open to business owners, property owners, non-profit organizations, community developers and entrepreneurs.
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Each month, Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection hosts a variety of free business resource webinars.
·4/11, Marketing Hacks for Small Business Owners - In this webinar, they'll cover cost-effective marketing strategies for small businesses, along with tips on how to effectively use social media as a marketing tool. Perfect for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to take their marketing to the next level. 9:30am on Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP More Info
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·4/18, Navigating Challenging Conversations - Whether you're managing a team, serving your clients, or collaborating with peers, delivering and receiving difficult feedback/information is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be destructive to the receiver, the giver and the relationship. This workshop is designed to equip you with the tools, mindset and strategies to handle these interactions—whether you are giving tough feedback or receiving it – with compassion and empathy. 9:30am on Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP More Info
·View Upcoming Free City Workshops
| | Updates from Special Service Area #31 | | ·Power Washing Update - In a continued effort to beautify our neighborhood’s commercial corridors, enhancing the overall appeal and attracting more customers to the area, Special Service Area #31 will begin offering power washing services. This year, our crews are prioritizing Clark Street and Lawrence Avenue. | | |
·NEW: Maydel Seeks Retail & eCommerce Specialist - Maydel is looking for an energetic, detail-oriented person to help with in-person and eCommerce retail operations. Maydel is a fast-growing craft company whose mission is to encourage accessibility and responsibility in craft. More Info
·NEW: Common Pantry Seeks Bilingual Social Services Coordinator - The Coordinator will work with the Social Services Program Manager to provide direct supportive services and targeted referrals to clients of Common Pantry. More Info
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·Half Acre Seeks Key Account Manager (Off Premise) - This position’s primary duties will be to develop and improve Half Acre's sales strategies with their national off premise and regional off premise chain partners. More Info
·Half Acre Seeks Seasonal Taproom Associate - This is an hourly, seasonal position that requires availability during business hours, which includes weekends and nights. More Info
·View Our Job Board
| | ·Careers in Manufacturing at JARC - Jane Addams Resource Corporation's free job training courses can help you gain employment in the manufacturing sector. You'll learn valuable skills, including CNC, welding, and mechanical assembly. More Info | | |
·Spring Promotion at Salon élan Vital - Buy 4 get 1 free single laser hair removal sessions. Plus, new massage clients will receive $10 off and can pre-book at end of the session to get $5 off your next appointment! Offer valid through 5/31/25. More Info
·Onboarding Trial at Bolt Fitness - New to fitness or looking to ease into group training with confidence? Bolt Fitness' 2-Week Onboarding Program is the perfect way to experience Bolt Fitness while receiving personalized guidance to set you up for success. Offering ongoing for new clients. More Info
| | Volunteer & Donation Opportunities | | |
·Call for Donations to McPherson Elementary's Badger Bash - McPherson Elementary School's 8th annual Badger Bash is right around the corner, on May 10 at the DANK Haus! Help support McPherson by donating items or experiences to their largest annual fundraiser. Whether it’s sports tickets, concert passes, gift cards, or unique experiences, your generous contributions will make a big difference for students and our school community. More Info
·Support the Ravenswood Community Services Food Pantry & Community Kitchen - Every Tuesday, RCS distributes groceries and hot meals to neighbors. Volunteers are welcome and asked to sign up in advance (info can be found on the RCS website under the Volunteer tab). Other ways to help include donations of pasta and rice within their expiration dates, financial support for the food pantry and community kitchen, and words of encouragement posted to RCS's Facebook page. Pasta and rice donations can be dropped off Tuesdays between 1-7:30pm at 1757 W Wilson Ave. More Info
·Volunteer at The Friendship Center - The Friendship Center operates a food pantry, serves weekly hot meals, delivers groceries to seniors and other individuals who are homebound and cannot visit the pantry, and provides pet food for those in need. Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles, including in the pantry, in the kitchen, and helping with weekend deliveries. While most opportunities are for adults, the Friendship Center has two after-school programs for younger volunteers. More Info
·Call for Volunteers and Donations to Common Pantry - Chicago's longest operating food pantry is looking for new volunteers! If you can't volunteer, consider making a monetary donation. Direct monetary donations are the best way to support the pantry, as it allows them to purchase high priority supplies for their clients. More Info
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