Weekly Update from your Alderman – July 20, 2012
Weekly Update from Alderman Harry Osterman: Sheridan Rd. Walk with Your Alderman, Street Closures This Weekend, Upcoming Events and more!
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July 20, 2012
Dear Neighbor,
On Tuesday, I joined Commander Moy (20th District), Commander Kenny (19th District), Chicago Police officers and more than 100 fellow community residents to discuss the recent police sting “Operation Uptown Crackdown”. The sting targeted more than 30 area drug dealers and gang members, and the police have already rounded up more than 20 of their targets. Our area commanders were there to answer questions relating to the sting as well as provide information on ways that the community can help to take back our streets.
The public safety committee, part of our ward’s Master Plan, also held a panel discussion on Tuesday to hear from professionals on how we can improve public safety in our community. I am grateful to Lieutenant Thomas Waldera of Chicago’s Gang Enforcement Unit, Deputy Chief John Escalante and community resident  Patrick Gordon for participating in our panel discussion. Our committee learned a lot from the panel and is formulating goals for public safety improvement in our neighborhoods from their insight. If you would like to join the Public Safety
Committee, please contact Jared Desecki of my staff by calling (773) 784-5277 or emailing Jared@48thward.org.
Yesterday, I sent out a newsletter with information on street closures this weekend surrounding three of our stations: Thorndale, Berwyn and Argyle. These streets will be closed to auto traffic from Broadway to Winthrop. The stations will remain open to riders and the sidewalks will remain open for pedestrian access. Please click on the newsletter for more details and feel free to contact my office at 773-784-5277 or Harry@48thward.orgwith any questions or concerns.
Sincerely, Harry Osterman Alderman, 48th Ward
Ward Update
Edgewater welcomes “Soar” to the neighborhood
On July 16th, the corner of Granville and Broadway became even more beautiful with the installation of “Soar” by David Noguchi (click here to visit his website). The new public art sculpture will stand for one year and is a great addition to our community. I would like to thank everyone who came out on July 11th to the Pumping Company to support this installation and hopefully more public art in the future. Be sure to stop by and check out “Soar” and shop and dine on Granville!
Photo by Tracy Poyser.
Sheridan Rd. Walk with the Alderman Alderman Osterman will join the 48th Ward Master Plan Sheridan Road/Lakefront committee on two walks down Sheridan Road. Alderman Osterman will be looking at and discussing resurfacing, street repairs and other improvements that need funding in 2013 and beyond. The purpose of walking with him is to offer ideas and comments as we pass certain areas. Everyone is welcome! Feel free to join the group anywhere along the route – bring a friend if you wish, no RSVP needed. If it rains, we’ll reschedule.
1) Walk 1 – Tuesday July 24, 2012 – 5:30pm – meet at Berger Park, walk north on Sheridan to Devon, then walk south on Sheridan to Hollywood and back around to Berger Park . There’ll be a Tuesday movie at Berger Park starting around 7:30 that evening – “Everyone’s Hero” if you want to stay around. 2) Walk 2 – Tuesday July 31, 2012 – 5:30pm – meet at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church at 5649 N. Sheridan Rd., walk south on Sheridan to Berwyn (cover both sides of Sheridan), circle back to St. Andrews via “The Meadows”.
Care for Real: Putting Edgewater to Work Putting Edgewater to Work (PEW) is a new pilot program for Care for Real (CRF) that links neighborhood job seekers with prospective employers. The program, started just six months ago, is already producing results. The program currently provides a range of employee readiness and training services to some 280 clients and the numbers are increasing weekly. The education level of job seekers ranges from G.E.D. to Ph.D. Their work experience and interests includes a wide variety of fields such as accounting, health care, administration, customer service, sales and education. Click here for even more information on the program. They also want to shine some light on an upcoming career fair that may benefit our ward: A virtual career fair for veterans and military spouses, to be held on July 31, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. EDT at veteranscareerfair.com. Click here for more information on the virtual career fair.
City of Chicago Releases DRAFT Chicago Cultural Plan The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) released the DRAFT 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan for public comment and will host four town hall style meetings to continue the conversation with Chicago residents and stakeholders across the city. The draft plan can be downloaded at www.chicagoculturalplan2012.com. The closest town hall meeting locations are:
- July 28 – 10 am to 12 pm at St. Augustine College-Essanay Studios (1345 W Argyle Street)
- July 31 – 6 to 8 pm at Chicago Cultural Center (78 East Washington Street)
48th Ward Summer Film Fest Come out and enjoy a movie under the stars with your neighbors. This Tuesday night, July 24th, we will be showing Everyone’s Hero at Berger Park. Click here for the full film fest schedule.
Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer: 2nd Installment 2011 Property Tax Bills due August 1st
2nd Installment 2011 Property Tax Bills have arrived in the mail and many constituents have questions regarding their tax bill calculation and exemptions. Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer’s Office is happy to assist any constituent with their property tax bills questions. If you would like to review your exemptions or concerns with your property tax bill, please contact Commissioner Gainer’s office at 312-603-4210 or email Info@BridgetGainer.com. Also, Commissioner Gainer’s staff will be available (by appointment) every Thursday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the 48th Ward Service Office. Please make sure you call 312-603-4210 to schedule an appointment. Beginning on July 16, all homeowners in all townships may file their appeals online at cookcountyboardofreview.com, regardless if their township is open. The Board will hold the complaint until the township is open and the complaint will be reviewed along with other complaints from the township. To be clear, the filing of an appeal may reduce the assessed value of a property for a future tax bill and does not remove the obligation to pay the current Second Installment Property Tax Bill in full and on time.
Education and Summer Programs Update
Margate Park Family Fun Night On Friday, July 27th from 5-7pm, Chicago Park District will be sponsoring a free family-friendly event at Margate Park. There will be great activities for all, so come out and enjoy a summer evening with the family!
Back-to-School Volunteers Needed On Friday, September 7th from 3-5pm the 48th Ward will host its annual back-to-school welcome for students and families. There will be food, arts & crafts, a bouncy house, and much more. We need volunteers to help make this year’s event another huge success. If you want to help out, please contact Karen Dreyfuss at karen@48thward.org.
Volunteers and Donations Needed at Music for Kids Music for Kids is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization located in Edgewater that provides tuition-free instrumental music lessons to Chicago Public School students who do not have access to similar educational opportunities. The organization is accepting donations of string instruments, music stands, string instrument accessories, and classroom supplies. They are also seeking volunteers to teach violin, cello, or music theory lessons beginning in the fall. Scheduling is flexible. Please email musicforkidschi@gmail.com for further information.
Family Summer Fun at Senn July 26th 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Looking for something to do with your family on a weekday? Senn is holding an After School Matters showcase and gallery walk highlighting what students did this summer. Exhibits include Picture Me, a photographic journey of discovery, the Senn Arts Team display of created books and artistic works, and the always exhilarating Flamenco dance group. For those interested in learning more about Senn and its programs, you will have an opportunity to meet the MYP/IB/Senn Fine arts coordinators and other faculty, as well as meet the principal. Parking is available in the Senn lot, accessible from Thorndale. Please enter through the parking lot main doors.
Summer Book Drive
Help us keep kids reading this summer! 48th ward is sponsoring a summer book drive to support our local summer camps and schools.
Please drop off GENTLY used children’s books at our office, 5533 N. Broadway. We will run this drive through the end of the summer so stop by whenever is convenient! Click here for the flyer.
Kegs for Kids Needs You! Kegs for Kids is a fundraiser for Helen C. Peirce Elementary School at Hopleaf Bar on Sunday, September 9th from 1-6pm. They could use an extra set of hands in almost all areas of the fundraiser. Click here if you’re interested in volunteering your time and talent. K4K is also in search of Silent Auction items – this is a crucial part of their fundraiser. If you have access to event tickets, vacation rentals, art, services, dinners, etc., please consider donating them. Call the main office at Peirce Elementary at (773) 534-2440 if you’re interested in donating.
Construction Update
Edgewater Library Burling Builder is the General Contractor for this project. Their subcontractors are working on installing the underground plumbing lines, the miscellaneous steel for the building eyebrow and the structural steel fireproofing. The mason is mobilizing his equipment and will begin CMU (concrete block) installation next week on the 1st floor. Radiant heat piping for the 2nd floor will be delivered Friday July 20 and installation will begin on Monday July 23, 2012.
Glenwood Watermain Project Water main phase of project has been completed. Street and Parkway restoration has started. Wednesday 7/18/12 Water crew moves from Glenwood project to next project. Thursday 7/19/12 and Friday 7/20/12 Restoration crew begins removing 10 inches of gravel from water main trench and begins installing concrete base course. Week of 7/23/12 Concrete base course street restoration continues.
Broadway Watermain Project Disinfection of the new water main should be completed today. The contractor should be starting the water service transfer stage on Tuesday and would take all week to complete. “No parking signs” will need to be reposted in order to complete this work.
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Upcoming Events – Save the Date
Friday Night Lawns: Live Music on the Lawn Friday, August 3 starting at 7pm Senn High School’s Lawn 5900 N. Glenwood Avenue Live Music by Chicago’s very own Country gal, Angela James Click here for her website And at 8pm, if you’re a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, dance to the music of Thomas Comerford Click here for his website Bring a blanket and chairs.
Edge Fest August 4-5th On Broadway from Thorndale to Ardmore Click here for more information
National Night Out August 7th at 6pm Buttercup Park Click here for the flyer
National Night Out 5k Run August 7th at 6:30pm Margate Park Click here for the flyer Click here for the registration form
Friday Night Lawns: Shakespeare in the Parking Lot Friday August 10 at 8pm Alamo Shoes SW Corner of Summerdale/Clark St. in Andersonville The Back Room Shakespeare Project Presents: ROMEO AND JULIET Bring a blanket or chair, and enjoy an urban adventure. Backroom Shakespeare performs the Bard’s play in the spirit of his times — no director, one rehearsal and a lot of fun! Click here for the Back Room website
Movies in the Park: “The Whale” Friday, August 17th at 8:30pm Buttercup Park
Sandcastle Open sponsored by Edgewater Community Council and Alderman Harry Osterman Saturday, August 18th Osterman Beach Click here to register
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