Spoken Cafe, 1812 W Montrose Ave (Photography by Susanna Turner) | | |
Welcome to our new members: 4Legs Pet Products, Bad Luck Club, Center for Sustainable Energy for the ComEd EV Rebate Program, EHS Business Solutions, Hanneman & Associates, Karl Saffran, KBH Media, LCPC, Laura Scout Coaching, Light Up Your Holidays, Little Fire Ceramics, Mimi's on Lincoln, Thistle & Thorne, Time and a half Books LLC, Tucker Pup's Pet Resort, and Urban Athlete.
And a thanks to our returning members for their continued support: Act One Media, Amy Bissonette Photography, Andrea Harney Marketing & Photography, Barry Sweets, Begyle Brewing Company, Bender Martial Arts and Fitness, Bon Femmes, BRB Aesthetics Central, Carol's Pub, Ellipsis Productions, Hagerty Insurance Agency, Is/Was Brewing, Max's Place, Maydel, Pistachio Yoga, Sheade Psychotherapy, Spoken Cafe, Studio Malt, Traffic Jam Swing
| | There's a Facebook group just for Ravenswood! Click here to connect with neighbors about community issues, events, neighborhood-specific questions, and more. | | |
·Transit Impact Survey for Ravenswood Residents: Regional transit authorities face severe service cuts in 2026 without adequate funding set aside in the state budget. You can help by completing this brief survey about how you use and benefit from public transit. Your responses will be hugely helpful as we work with local officials to advocate for funding! Complete Survey
·Spoken Café's 10th Anniversary - Since opening its doors, Spoken has become a neighborhood staple known for great coffee, fresh food, and friendly service. Join us in congratulating them on a decade of delicious memories and continued success! Learn More
·Celebrating Wellness Month in Ravenswood - This August, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is proud to spotlight ten inspiring local businesses that are redefining what wellness means in our community. Read More
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·CBS News: Lori Cannon, Chicago LGBTQ+ activist and advocate for people with HIV/AIDS, dies at 74 - Born in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood, Cannon spent decades as an instrumental fixture in the city's organized LGBTQ+ activist community. Read More
·Rendezvous Arts Summer Vignette Series - This month’s Summer Vignette features the radiant world of Lightwriters Neon and the inspiring artistry of Zoelle Nagib, a second-generation neon artist building a vibrant, inclusive community right across from our Chicago home. 🎥 Watch Here
·Announcing the Winning Damen/Leland Mural Proposal - Ravenswood, you made your voice heard! Nearly 3,000 voters weighed in on mural proposals for the Damen and Leland People Space. The winner? Drumroll please 🥁 ...Eye Spy: Ravenswood by Alex Perkins! Keep an eye out for installation updates over the next few weeks! View Here
| | ·8/11-8/15, Summer Camp at Pistachio Yoga - This unique summer camp option offers yoga, fun movement, mindfulness games/meditations, breathing exercises, and simple arts & crafts for campers aged 9-12 years old! 8am-12pm, 5206 N Damen Ave, $399 More Info | | ·8/13-8/18, Birthday Extravaganza at Ponnopozz - Owner Adrianne is celebrating 40 colorful years and invites you to a week-long celebration! Enjoy 40% off original paintings, BOGO prints, an original painting raffle, and 20% off all Ponnopozz designs! 12-6pm, 1966 W Montrose Ave More Info | | |
8/15, Summer's End Community Crawl
Over the past few months, the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor has been turned inside out by water main replacements and infrastructure projects. While the construction brought much-needed improvements to the neighborhood, adjacent businesses were affected by related block closures, parking complications, and water shutoffs, losing would-be patrons during critical months.
We’re showing our support by bringing an easy breezy end-of-summer crawl to Ravenswood Ave—because how often do you get to drink for a good cause? Join us for a few drinks at the following awesome Ravenswood small businesses:
VIN312 Winery
Cultivate by Forbidden Root
O’Shaughnessy’s Public House
| | Free punch cards will be available at each participating business for the chance to win prizes from Fin Sushi, O'Shaughnessy's Public House, Spacca Napoli Pizzeria, and Starshaped Press. 6-9pm, Along Ravenswood Ave, FREE More Info | | |
·8/16, Open House at Ravenswoof - Stop in and see what Ravenswoof is all about! Meet the staff, learn about small group playcare, and ask questions. Friendly leashed pets are welcome! 3:30 - 5:30pm, 4510 N Ravenswood Ave, FREE More Info
·8/16, Grand Opening at Time and a half Books- Ravenswood’s newest bookstore will be opening its doors and celebrating with a ribbon cutting hosted by the GRCC at 6pm. Explore their carefully curated selection of new books! 10am-6pm, 4839 N Damen Ave More Info
·8/16, 6th Anniversary Party at Is/Was Brewing - Is/Was is releasing their first-ever cans as part of their 6th Anniversary Celebration! Head to the taproom for $6 hotdogs, $6 16oz cans, and live portraits by Joe Kraft. 12pm-12am, 5121 N Ravenswood Ave More Info
·8/18, Ice Cream Happy Hour at Bartleby's Ice Cream - Who says going back to school can't be sweet? Pop into Bartleby's Ice Cream on Monday for a Back to School Ice Cream Hour after school and get 15% off all ice cream! 3-5pm, 1943 W Byron St, FREE More Info
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·8/20, Pre-Construction Meeting: Ashland Ave Resurfacing - Ashland Avenue is slated to be repaved from School north to Clark. This will involve improvements to pedestrian safety, including curb extensions and refuge islands, as well as bus bulbs for the #9 bus. The 47th and 40th Wards, along with CDOT, are hosting this virtual meeting for impacted residents. 6pm on Zoom More Info
·8/21, Pooch Yoga at Urban Pooch - Get ready for the cutest yoga class you’ve ever attended! Urban Pooch and One Tail at a Time are bringing you a fun, feel-good yoga session with adoptable pups looking for love (and belly rubs!) 6-7pm, 5400 N Damen Ave, $50 More Info
·8/26, 47th Ward Night Out at Gio's Bar & Grill - Join Alderman Matt Martin for a night out at Gio's! Grab a drink, support a local business, and chat with Alderman Martin's office. This ward night will feature a presentation and discussion about Chicago's affordable housing crisis. More Info
·View Our Full Community Calendar
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·Join the Fall Euchre League at Begyle Brewing - Sign up now to join Begyle's Fall Euchre League! You may join as a pair or a single. League runs every Tuesday from September 16th until December 2nd, with the playoff game on December 9th! Players receive 10% off on game nights. More Info
·Local Business Spotlight: Demo Brewing Co. - You want to go to a brewery. But not just any brewery. You want to go somewhere new; somewhere with best-kept-secret vibes and a fast-rotating tap list of unique, layered brews. Light on its feet and tight on its turns, Demo’s built a cult following among local hopheads–and the momentum doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Read More
·Free Hot Dogs at The Ravenswood Tavern - You read that right: FREE hot dogs, every Sunday from 12-4pm while supplies last! Sunday Fundays at The Ravenswood Tavern are a way of life. Come for games, drinks, and dawgs. More Info
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What's Up on Malt Row?
·8/16, Berliner Day at Dovetail Brewery - Come for the ‘Mit Schuss’ beer service, stay for the syrups by Bitter Ex and curry wurst from Beard & Belly. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for more international pop-ups at Dovetail. Genau, genau. 1800 W Belle Plaine Ave, FREE More Info
·8/21, Jaws 50th Anniversary Cocktail Class at KOVAL - Class includes the instruction and enjoyment of 3 spookily sharky cocktails, with the guidance of a mega fan instructor and provided recipes. All bartending equipment is included - simply show up ready to learn! 7-8pm, 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, $75 More Info
·8/21, Team Trivia Night at Half Acre Beer Co - Sharpen your pencils, folks! Expect prizes for the top 3 teams AND the team with the best name. The winner gets a $50 gift card to Half Acre. 6:30-8:30pm, 2050 W Balmoral Ave, FREE More Info
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·Thirsty Ears Festival is back in September! - Chicago’s only classical music street festival is back on Sept 7-8! Stellar ensembles and soloists will be performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between. Plus: delicious beer and wine, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities and food trucks. More Info
·Audition: Joel Hall Dancers & Center Trainee Program - In its 51st year, Joel Hall Dancers & Center brings back its beloved Training Program. This program gives talented dancers opportunities to train, perform, and be part of the studio community. Applications close August 30th! More Info
·Fall Classes at Chicago Printmakers Collaborative Now Open for Registration - Chicago Printmakers Collaborative is excited to offer Fall classes! Offering NEW Morning courses as well as evening classes. Open to all experience levels - learn new skills, make beautiful prints, and get inky! More Info
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Creative Calendar
·8/15, Date Night Throwdown at Lillstreet Art Center - Grab your sweetie, bestie, or crew for a Friday night “throwdown.” Join our patient instructors for a fun evening of getting messy and learning how to throw clay on the wheel. 6:30-9:30pm, 4401 N Ravenswood Ave, $115 More Info
·8/16, Salsa Crash Course at Ballroom Dance Chicago - Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or revisiting styles you've missed, this immersive class is designed to elevate your skills in an easy and fun environment. 12:30-2:30pm, 4039b N Ravenswood Ave, $60 More Info
·8/17, 3D Window Collage Cards at Jenny G's Art Supply - Elevate your homemade cards and invitations! This card appears like any regular folded card, but upon opening the pop-out window will transform it into a 3D scene of your making. 10:30-12:30pm, 1926 W Montrose Ave, $30 More Info
| | Business Resources & Workshops | | |
8/14, Summer Social at The Long Room
Join us for our annual end-of-the-summer social happy hour at The Long Room. Kick back, have a cold beer or one a refreshing cocktail, and enjoy free-flowing conversations with fellow Ravenswood business owners, nonprofit leaders, and artisans on Long Room's picturesque patio! Sponsored by Erwin Law, EmpowerFit, and Ravenswood Event Center.
| Tickets include admission, snacks from AJ's Bakery, and your first drink. 4pm-6pm, 1612 W Irving Park Rd, $15 for GRCC Members / $25 for General Admission. More Info | | |
9/4, Know Your Rights Training & Immigration Update
In this webinar, organizers from HANA Center will lead us in a discussion of what your legal, constitutional rights are, as well as how to interact with ICE agents and police officers. They will also provide the latest updates on federal immigration policy.
| This webinar is tailored to local business owners, leaders, and their employees. Registration for this event is FREE! Advance registration is required to receive the meeting link, which will be shared via email prior to the workshop. 3-4pm, Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP More Info | | |
The City of Chicago’s Department of Planning & Development (DPD) Workforce Solutions Program is a semi-competitive (depending on the applicant’s location), reimbursable grant that covers trainings to upgrade the skills of current (incumbent) employees and/or training for new hires (On-the-Job Training). City-wide applications are now open. Apply Now.
Workforce Solutions reimbursement grants are funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and proceeds from the Housing and Economic Development Bond. Grants fund up to 100% of eligible expenses for businesses seeking to train current employees and/or new hires.
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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.
·8/15, How to Identify and Protect Your Intellectual Property - In this session, business owners will learn how to recognize the different types of intellectual property (IP) they may already own and the practical steps to safeguard them. Whether you’re launching a new product, developing content, or expanding your services, this presentation will provide the know-how to protect your assets. 9:30-11am, Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP Register Here
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·8/20, Concessions 101: Responding to an RFP - Are you interested in operating a restaurant or retail shop at Chicago's Airports, but don't know where to begin? This informative session will guide you through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Concessions Team will walk you through the steps involved in preparing an RFP response, including considerations for crafting a compelling proposal. Lastly, the CDA will provide you with all the resources you will need to get started. 3-4:30pm, Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP Register Here
·View Upcoming Free City Workshops
| | Updates from Special Service Area #31 | | ·Commercial Corridor Activation Grant - Special Service Area 31’s new Commercial Corridor Activation Grant is designed to support local businesses along Ravenswood Avenue (Sunnyside to Lawrence) and Clark Street (Montrose to Ainslie) that are experiencing construction-related disruptions in 2025. More Info | | |
·Flavin Electric Seeks Project Manager - As a highly organized and detail-oriented Project Manager, the ideal candidate will be instrumental in ensuring projects are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget. More Info
·Ridman's Coffee Seeks Part Time Barista - Ridman's Coffee is seeking a part-time barista with weekend availability! The ideal candidate has 2+ years of experience with espresso-based drinks and has a professional, friendly demeanor. More Info
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·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
·S&C Electric Company Seeks Machinist - As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. 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 | | |
·New Patient Discount at Thistle & Thorne - T&T provides various healthcare services, including acupuncture, board-certified herbal medicine, cupping, and lifestyle recommendations to help you achieve your health goals. New patients will receive a 15% discount when paying out of pocket! Offer valid through 10/31/25. More Info
·August Yappy Hours at Trading Post Pet Supplies - During TPP's Friday Yappy Hours in August they will be celebrating back to school season with sample puzzles for your pup to try out. 25% off puzzles and enrichment toys during Yappy Hour! Offer valid through 8/31/25. More Info
| | Volunteer & Donation Opportunities | | |
·Ponnopozz Raffle Supporting NPR/WBEZ - Support public media and win big! Enter the On a Whim Original Painting Raffle for your chance to take home a $600 artwork by Adrianne Hawthorne of Ponnopozz! Each $20 ticket supports WBEZ, and thanks to matching donations, your impact is doubled—winner announced August 23rd! 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. 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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