La Mexicana Grill, 4641 N Clark St

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Week of March 11

In This Issue:

·Around Ravenswood

·Community Calendar

·Eat Local, Drink Local

·Arts Corner

·Business Resources & Workshops

·Updates from SSA #31

·Now Hiring

·Offers From GRCC Members

·Volunteer Opportunities

Coming Up: Ravenswood offerings for St. Patrick's Day, final days for Spring Break registration, and ways to get creative this month.


Attention Business Leaders: Tickets are now on sale for GRCC's Women Leaders in Business: Creative Coffee at Color Me Mine on March 27th at 9am!

Welcome to our new members: AuthentiCITY Travel, Build Scale Prosper, Colour.Fix.Art, La Mexicana Grill, Movement Physical Therapy and Wellness, Nadeau Chicago, Performance Podiatry Partners, Rooted Connections Counseling, Ridman's Coffee, Salon Élan Vital, SCAN5, Smooth House Laser, and The Silver Line.


And a thanks to our returning members for their continued support: Anna's Thai Kitchen, Better World Collaborative, Bolt Fitness, CHIRP Radio, G.V. Jewelry, KOVAL Distillery, Law Office of Jennifer L. Bennett, Nature's Grace and Wellness, Six Point Pet, Spacca Napoli, Three Ravens Counseling, Traffic Jam Swing, Unpatterned, Wave Therapeutics, and The Wolcott Tap.

Local Business Directory

There's a Facebook group just for Ravenswood! Click here to connect with neighbors about community issues, events, neighborhood-specific questions, and more.

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Around Ravenswood

·"Love Is Learned Over Time" A Special Piece by Lydia Cash - During the highly anticipated return of Taste of Ravenswood, guests were treated to a unique experience: Lydia Cash created a breathtaking live painting titled Love Is Learned Over Time. Now, we’re excited to announce that this one-of-a-kind artwork is available for purchase with proceeds to benefit Common Pantry! Read More


·Ravenswood Run: Chicago's Favorite Neighborhood Race Returns - The 29th annual Ravenswood Run returns on 4/27/25! 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

·Block Club: Want To Train Your Dog To Hunt Rats? This Ravenswood Workshop Teaches The Art Of Ratting - "Urban Pooch- which regularly offers grooming, doggie daycare and pet supplies to neighborhood dog owners - is hosting its inaugural ratting workshop on March 16. The two-hour class will focus on developing a dog’s scent and communication skills by having the pup hunt for rats." Read More


·Block Club: Koval Rolls Out New Line Of Limited-Run Luxury Craft Spirits- "Koval Distillery co-founder Sonat Birnecker Hart collaborated with her sister to design the unique bottles for Thresh & Winnow, a new line of limited-edition whiskeys and Japanese botanical-inspired gins." Read More

Community Calendar

·3/14, St. Patrick's Date Night at Color Me Mine - Get ready for a shamrockin’ good time at Color Me Mine's St. Patrick’s Day Date Night! Grab your lucky someone and paint the night away with festive ceramic creations. 7pm, 3849 N Lincoln Ave, $32 More Info


·3/14, Exploring Implicit Bias with Embodied Education Institute of Chicago - In this workshop you will identify, define and discuss what implicit bias is, and how it can effect the therapeutic relationship. This webinar meets the Implicit Bias continuing education requirement for counselors in Illinois. 11am-12pm, Virtual, $30 More Info

·3/18, 19th District CAPS Meeting - Join neighbors and 19th District police officers for this bi-monthly meeting for Beat 1911 (Irving to Lawrence, the River to Damen) and Beat 1912 (Irving to Lawrence, Damen to Clark). 6:30-7:30pm, 4455 N Lincoln Ave, FREE More Info


·3/16, Leisurely Sunday Zine Lab at Ridman's Coffee -Make zines with the editrix of Caboose, nominated Best Zine 2024 by the Chicago Reader! Liz Mason will host a pop-up zine shop from 1pm-3pm, then a FREE zine making workshop from 3:30-5:30pm! 4758 N Clark St, FREE More Info

3/20, Malt Row Hoppy Hour: Saison, From the French/Belgian Countryside to Chicago


Join us at is/was brewing for a guided tasting and conversation focused on saison. From the French/Belgian countryside to Chicago, learn about the brewing process and rich history of this unique beer style from one of the leading brewers in said style, Mike Schallau.

Buy Tickets Here

Malt Row Hoppy Hours are presented by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of CommerceSSA #31, and Erwin Law. 6:30pm, 5121 N Ravenswood Ave

·3/22, Front Rack Mobility Clinic at Bolt Fitness - Struggling with front squats, cleans, or any movement that requires a solid front rack position? Join Bolt Fitness for a hands-on session designed to assess your front rack mobility, identify possible limitations, and provide you with a structured, progressive approach to improving your range of motion. 11:30am-1pm, 4545 N Ravenswood Ave More Info


·3/22, Open House at Lycée Français de Chicago - The LFC offers more than just excellent academics—it's an opportunity to explore a truly international education. Join them for their Open House and discover how they encourage students to become leaders of tomorrow over coffee and a complimentary breakfast. 10am-12pm, 1929 W Wilson Ave More Info


·3/23, Rendezvous Arts Presents Christian Dillingham Jazz Quartet & Printmaker Jill A. Kramer at Artifact Events - Hot jazz in March! The Dillingham Quartet rocks Artifact Events in an afternoon concert. Featured artist and print maker Jill A. Kramer exhibits her vibrant block prints on paper. 2:30pm, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, $30 More Info

·3/29, Paint 'N Sip at Awakenings - Join Awakenings for their first Paint 'N Sip fundraiser! Wine and supplies are provided in the price of the ticket. Proceeds help provide free, trauma-informed healing arts workshops for survivors of sexual assault. Art has the power to heal! 6-9:30pm, 4001 North Ravenswood Ave Suite 204-C, $60 More Info


·4/1, Making Matters for Senior Adults at Dandelion Therapeutic Art Center - This 5-week session will provide a creative community for those 65 and older! Through the artmaking process and guidance of a Dandelion art therapist, you will nurture a sense of community, belonging, and self by thoughtfully engaging in the creative process. 1-2pm, 1628 W Montrose Ave, $150 for 5 sessions More Info


·4/4, Malt Row Presents: Cubs Opening Day Party w/ Waco Brothers -Baseball is back– and so is the Malt Row Opening Day Party! To celebrate the Chicago Cubs home opener, the breweries of Malt Row are teaming up for another party in Wrigleyville. Join us at Gman Tavern for fresh local brews and a performance by the legendary Waco Brothers! 10am, 3740 N Clark St, FREE w/ RSVP More Info



·View Our Full Community Calendar

Eat Local, Drink Local

·St. Patrick’s Day All Week Long at Gio's Bar & Grill - Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all week long with Vienna Beef Corned Beef and Cabbage, "Mile High" Rueben’s, $3 Jameson shots, and specials on Guinness and a Lucky Leprechaun Punch! You could also be the lucky recipient of a trip to Ireland! Offerings valid from 3/10/25-3/17/25. Read More


·Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Chicago's Pizza - Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day away from the crowds with activities for all ages on 3/15/25 from 11am to 2pm! Make your own shamrock pizza, color a shamrock for a FREE scoop of ice cream, enjoy outdoor games, and get glitter tattoos by Genesis from Chicago Caritas! For the adults, they’ll have Irish coffee and green beer to keep the festivities going! Read More


·St. Pat's Green Beer Bonanza at My Buddy's - Come on down to My Buddy's for St. Patrick's Day Saturday! Package includes all you can eat Irish Brunch Buffet with Corned Beef and Cabbage, Potatoes, Eggs, Biscuits, Gravy and all the Delicious Green Beer! To Get $30 off, book before March 13 and use the discount code: LUCKY. This event is 21+. Read More

What's Up on Malt Row?


·3/13, St. Paddy's Cocktail Class at KOVAL Distillery - Join your friends at KOVAL to learn how to make cocktails to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Class includes the instruction and enjoyment of 3 cocktails, with the guidance of an instructor and provided recipes. All bartending equipment is included! 7-8pm, 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, $75 More Info


·3/15, St. Patrick's Celebrations at Begyle Brewing - Begyle has planned a full day of St. Paddy’s celebrations in the taproom! Start bright and early with the Ireland vs. Italy rugby match! Later in the afternoon, The Old Town School of Folk Music will be playing traditional Irish music. Grab a delicious corned beef sandwich from Zelda’s and enjoy $5 pints of Dicey Riley, Begyle's Irish-Style Red Ale! 9am-10pm, 1800 W Cuyler Ave More Info


·3/20, Jazz and Wine Night at VIN312 Winery - Experience an unforgettable evening of live jazz and wine tastings featuring a selection of exquisite wines. Take a tour of the venue and immerse yourself in the ambiance of full functioning urban winery hosted by the winemaker! 7-11pm, 4710 N Ravenswood Ave Rear, $20+ More Info

Arts Corner

·Spring Break Camps at BitSpace -

Spend a day or three in the makerspace this spring! BitSpace will be designing miniature garden accessories, plant stands, and birdhouses just to name a few! Sign up with a sibling or friend for all 3 days and get 10% off the second registration. More Info


·Tickets Now On Sale for Jackie Taylor's "Elvis Presley Was A Black Man Named Joe" at Black Ensemble Theater - On The surface they were worlds apart. Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi and Joe grew up in the Cabrini Green Projects in Chicago. They were different - but they were very much the same. You really have to be in the know to understand how Elvis Presley was a Black man named Joe. Show runs through 4/20/25. More Info


·Youth Spring Break Dance Camp at Joel Hall Dancers & Center - Get your kids to WERKQ with JHDC 3/25/25 through 3/27/25 and get a taste of what their upcoming Spring Session has to offer! Perfect for kids curious about dance, or for students looking for a new studio - and a new style of dance. Reserve your kid’s spot today! More Info


·Registration Open for Spring and Summer Camps at Wonder Woods -

The mission of Wonder Woods is to pave the way for children to play and learn in a living ecosystem. Your kids will have a blast playing in the woods at their 501(c)3 forest play school! Ages 0-12, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm with options for aftercare until 3:00 and 4:00. More Info

Creative Calendar


·3/22-3/23, Mokume Gane at Lillstreet - Learn the art of Mokume Gane, a Japanese technique for creating intricate surface patterns in metal. Students will learn to fuse together layers of different metals, how to manipulate those layers to create decorative patterns, and create a Mokume Gane ring in copper and silver.10am-6pm, 4401 N Ravenswood Ave, $430+ More Info


·3/23, Experiments in Watercolor at Jenny G's Art Supply - Experiment with playful watercolor and inking techniques to create abstract mixed media art pieces. In this workshop you will learn different ways to tame the watercolor medium, and how to apply ink textures to emphasize your design. 10am-12pm, 1926 W Montrose Ave, $40 More Info


·3/29, A Stitch From Gaza at Maydel -Learn traditional Palestinian tatreez embroidery techniques with a focus on motifs from the historic Gaza region. All skill levels are welcome, whether you’re new to embroidery or a skilled practitioner. A portion of each class fee will be donated to Heal Palestine. 1-3pm, 1746 W Wilson Ave, $50 More Info


·3/30, Branching Out: Learn To Draw Trees With Ease at Anne Leuck Studio- Step into the whimsical world of tree-inspired art with Anne's playful workshop. Using her simple and unconventional techniques, you'll learn to draw trees of all shapes and sizes. Get ready to unleash your creativity! 1-4pm, Virtual on Zoom, $97 More Info

3/13, Artist Resource Happy Hour at Hammy Wammy


As a part of our commitment to supporting creative industry, GRCC and RCC are hosting an Artist Resource Happy Hour at Hammy Wammy. Come out to connect with fellow creatives and learn about resources and opportunities for local artists!

Register Here

Tickets include admission, your first drink, (N/A options available), and light snacks. 4:30-6:30pm, 4633 N Clark St More Info

Business Resources & Workshops

3/27, Women Leaders in Business: Creative Coffee


The Greater Ravenswood Chamber invites you to our first Women Leaders in Business event of the year! Join us Thursday, March 27 at Color Me Mine to connect with local women leaders, entrepreneurs and artisans while tapping into your creative side with a fun activity.

Register Here

Tickets include admission, coffee from Ridman's, Lucila's world-famous alfajores, and all of the materials to paint and bring home your own coffee mug. 9-11am, 3849 N Lincoln Ave, $20 for GRCC Members/$30 for General Admission. More Info

Each month, Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection hosts a variety of free business resource webinars.


·3/12, What You Need to Know About Your Business & Federal Taxes - Presented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Ladder Up, this workshop will answer important tax questions for your business including: What business records must be kept? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners? 3pm on Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP More Info

·3/14, Using Technology Tools to Maximize Profits - This webinar is designed to introduce you to the fundamental ways in which technology can empower your business, increase efficiency, and boost your bottom line. Whether you're a small business owner, a manager, or an entrepreneur, this webinar is tailored to help you unlock the potential of technology without needing advanced technical knowledge. 9:30am on Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP More Info


·View Upcoming Free City Workshops

Updates from Special Service Area #31

Special Service Area #31 is now accepting applications for the 2025 Façade Rebate Program and Security Camera Rebate Program. For more information, reach out to SSA #31 Program Manager Christina Pecce.

Now Hiring

·NEW: Half Acre Seeks Seasonal Taproom Associate - This is an hourly, seasonal position meant to assist where needed in the Taproom/Patio throughout the shift to aid on the floor and maintain proper pacing of guest flow. More Info


·NEW: 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

·NEW: Half Acre Seeks Packaging Operator -Packaging is a crucial step in the beer making process. A properly packaged can or keg means that people will enjoy Half Acre beer the way it's intended. New hires will be working on canning and kegging lines. It is a very hands-on, physical job with the entirety of the shift standing. 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.

 

JARC hosts Application Sessions every Wednesday at 9am and 4pm. In-person sessions are on the first Wednesday of each month and virtual sessions are on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays. Anyone enrolled in JARC programs receives free access to math, reading, and computer tutors, as well as financial coaching and public benefits screening. More Info

Offers From Our Members

·Women's History Month Special at EmpowerFit Chicago - Celebrate Women's History Month with a special promotion! Women looking to enhance their strength can buy 8 personal training sessions and get 3 sessions absolutely FREE! That's a savings of $166! More Info


·Discount for Youth Classes at Joel Hall Dancers & Center - Youth classes cater to ages 3-17 and are held in studio at 4511 N. Clark in the Uptown/Ravenswood neighborhoods. Sessions start April 5th through May 2025. Use code SPRING25 when registering for 10% off your reservation! Offer Valid through 3/17/25. More Info


·New Customer Special at Scan5 - Scan5 is now open for business in Ravenswood and offering a useful service for the local community to help preserve their most prized possessions, their memories. Mention SAVE10 and receive 10% off your project. 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

Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce

Ravenswood Community Council

1770 W Berteau, Suite 101 | info@ravenswoodchicago.org