September 28, 2012

I want to thank the more than 75 community members who attended Monday’s Public Safety meeting to discuss safety concerns on and around the Bryn Mawr area. This week’s “Public Safety” section includes an outline of the meeting and safety initiatives.

Also on Saturday, join me at a ceremony renaming the Margate Playground, the Bill Hersh Playgound. The ceremony will begin at 10:30am and is hosted by the Margate Park Advisory Council. The renaming of the playground will honor Bill’s many decades of active community involvement.

In celebration of Chicago Artists Month, I am pleased to announce the new 48th Ward Arts & Entertainment webpage:www.48thward.org/arts. I hope you take advantage of the numerous events happening throughout the Ward during Chicago Artists Month. There are more details below in this week’s “Arts & Entertainment” section.

Sincerely,
Harry Osterman
Alderman, 48th Ward

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Arts & Entertainment

October is Chicago Artists Month
In celebration of Chicago Artists Month, I am pleased to announce the new 48th Ward Arts & Entertainment webpage: www.48thward.org/arts. I hope you take advantage of the numerous events happening throughout the Ward during Chicago Artists Month. As a kick-off to the month, the Edgewater Development Corporation launches “Spotlight on Edgewater” on October 4th at 4:30pm at Nookies on Bryn Mawr.  Click here for the full schedule of “Spotlight”. Also, you can head over to Clark Street for Andersonville Arts Weekend during the first weekend in October.  Click here for the full schedule of “Arts Weekend”.

In addition to the amazing selection of performances to choose from on the Arts & Entertainment calendar, you can traverse Edgewater’s walking art gallery along Granville, Thorndale, and Bryn Mawr to see artwork by the Edgewater Artists in Motion.  Click here to access a list of locations where artwork is being displayed.

Throughout October, we will highlight special arts events taking place throughout the 48th Ward in the weekly newsletter. Stay tuned!

Black Watch Returns to the Broadway Armory
Following the overwhelming success of its premier Chicago engagement, the international phenomenon Black Watch returns October 10 – 21 to Edgewater! Experience the performance the Washington Post calls “authentic, astonishing and soul-piercing.” This impassioned, urgent telling of a heroic Scottish regiment’s tour in Iraq interweaves events both past and present as soldiers make the journey home again. Book your tickets today for this unique production.

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Public Safety Update

Update from 9/24 Safety Meeting
I want to thank the more than 75 community members who attended Monday’s Public Safety meeting to discuss safety concerns on and around the Bryn Mawr area.  As I mentioned during the meeting, my office is working to administer a program which will bring off-duty police officers to patrol Bryn Mawr and the surrounding area during the afternoon and early-evening hours.  Additionally, I have requested improved street lighting on the blocks of Kenmore and Winthrop and have requested that police cameras be placed at three locations along Kenmore.  My office is also working with the Park District to install improved lighting at Schaalman Park at Thorndale and Sheridan. More improvements can be made, though, and I ask that you continue to share any suggestions to improve public safety-related infrastructure throughout the ward.

My office will continue to meet with community members, the police and buildings that are rumored to foster negative activity.  We are looking for “block representatives” to assist us in a) identifying problem buildings on your block, b) reporting trouble areas on your block, c) reporting any suspicious, especially chronically suspicious behavior on your block, and d) meeting regularly with other block representatives to discuss issues and brainstorm possible solutions.  If you are interested in signing up as a “block representative”, please email Jared Desecki atJared@48thward.org.

48th Ward Public Safety Committee Meeting
If you would like to get more involved in improving public safety, the next 48th Ward Public Safety committee meeting will be held Monday, October 1 at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway) at 7:00pm. The committee will be working on finalizing recommendations for a long-term safety action plan. New attendees are welcome. Email Jared@48thward.org with questions.

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Ward Update

Traffic Signal at Broadway and Balmoral Approved
My office has been working with CDOT to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Balmoral. Funding and design of this project were recently approved by IDOT. The project will be bid on this fall and construction will begin Spring 2013. Since the start of this project, my office has been working in partnership with the Lakewood Balmoral Residents Council’s Traffic Committee to ensure pedestrian safety along Balmoral between Clark and Broadway. As part of this plan, new bump outs have been installed at the intersections of Balmoral and Wayne and Balmoral and Lakewood.

CTA Announces Public Art for 48th Ward Red Line Stations
The CTA Art Group has announced their plan to request proposals from artists who wish to submit their work for consideration to be installed inside of the seven (7) newly upgraded El stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, Thorndale, Granville, Morse, and Jarvis).  The deadline for proposal submissions is October 10, 2012.  Click here for details and website links.

Chicago meets Copenhagen at the Hopleaf
On Thursday, October 4 from 7pm – 9pm, park your bike at the Hopleaf’s brand new bike corral and join Active Trans, Ald. Harry Osterman and Ald. Ameya Pawar for a very special evening to celebrate an exciting year for biking in Chicago. Earlier this year, the Bikes Belong Foundation took Aldermen Osterman to Copenhagen to see how one of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities works. The aldermen will share a presentation with some of their observations and photos from their trip. Hopleaf (upstairs bar), 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago, Free and open to all.  No RSVP or bicycle necessary.

Free Flu Shots
On Wednesday, October 3 from 9am – 3pm, the 48th Ward will host its annual Flu Shots Clinic at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway Anyone 6 months of age or older can get the vaccine; no registration is necessary.  If you have a Medicare/Medicaid card, please bring it. For more information, please contact Ginger Williams at 773-784-5277 or Ginger@48thward.org or click here.

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Upcoming Events – This Week

Back to School Event
24^th District CPO
Saturday, September 29, 11am-2pm
6464 N. Clark Street
Call 312-744-6321 or click here for more information

Chicago Veganmania
Saturday, September 29, 10am- 5pm
Broadway Armory
5917 N. Broadway
Click here for more information

Green Team Clean-Up Day
Sponsored by Buttercup Park Advisory Council (B*PAC)
Saturday, September 29, 9am-12pm
Weeding, Pruning, Planting & Litter-Pickup
Freshening up for Fall!
Click here for more information

Community Glue Workshop Repair Clinic
Sunday, Sept. 30, 4pm-7pm
Kitchen Sink, 1107 w. Berwyn Ave
Revive your well-worn possessions and meet our growing community of fixers! We’ve got handy volunteers and tools available, so bring an item in disreapir and a can-do attitude, and we’ll do our best to breathe new life into your old stuff and keep it out of the landfill. This is a free, all-ages, BYOB event.
Click here for more information

Panel Discussion for Condo and Co-Op Owners
Tuesday, October 2, 7pm-9pm
First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church
1301 N. LaSalle Street
Click here for more information

Office of the City Treasurer- Small Business Expo
Friday, October 5, 8:30am-3:30pm
UIC Forum- 725 W. Roosevelt Road
Click here for more information

Edgewater Historical Society and Museum
Reception in honor of the Plein Air Painters at the museum.
Friday, October 5, 5-9pm
Saturday and Sunday, October 6-7, 10am- 4pm
Saturday, October 13, 10am- 4pm
5358 N. Ashland Ave.
For more information please call 773-506-4849 or click here

2012 Chicago Chess Festival
Wednesday, October 3, 9am-5pm
Rickover Naval Academy
5900 N. Glenwood Ave
Click here for more information