Dear Neighbors,

Our parks, plazas and pedestrian spaces are all well-loved and used heavily. With so much need and so little precious park space, our neighbors and community partners work with us to make needed improvements, whether large and small. Coupling city resources with private fundraising efforts magnify our efforts. Here is what's going on in our community right now - if these inspire you to improve your local gathering spot, contact us to share your ideas.

The New Sunshine Nature Playscape

Funded by the Lincoln Park Conservancy , many individual donors, and the Chicago Park District, the beautiful Nature Playscape will feature a "sideways" tree, hollow logs and many other natural play elements as well as traditional play equipment. You can sponsor a tree, plants or play equipment to help complete the Playscape and landscaping. Click here to contribute.

In Lincoln Park:

We installed an asphalt walking path between Fullerton and the Stockton bus stop. A private funder of the Lincoln Park Conservancy donated a water fountain near the bus stop.

The Chicago Park District replaced the water fountain near the North Pond gazebo and re-installed the 1989 plaque dedicated to Jim Northcutt, a long-time Lincoln Park resident who became homeless later in his life. The inscription reads, "All who are thirsty come to the water," quoting Isaiah. The Chicago Reader reported the moving story of this man's place in our community.

(if you'd like to donate a bench, contact the Chicago Parks Foundation).

Upcoming Projects:

1900 N Bissell Plaza: Local neighbors are creating a plan to rebuild 1900 N. Bissell Plaza to make it usable for local families.

Lincoln Central and Fire Station Park: With Lincoln Central Association, we are planning to add electrical service to Lincoln Central Park and Fire Station Park, which will allow these spaces to be used for more community events.

Trebes Park Renovation: With Friends of Oscar Mayer School, Trebes Park Advisory Council, Sheffield Neighbors Association, Oz Park Baseball, and the Chicago Park District, we are expanding the plan to renew Trebes Park. We will announce another community meeting in the fall.

Dickens Greenway Project: The Chicago Department of Transportation is proposing to turn Dickens Avenue into a greenway, with an enhanced pedestrian experience, more greenery, and a bike lane. Our next community meeting is scheduled for August 22nd at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center.

Cannon Drive Pilot Continues; Police Cite Success

Police have asked that the pilot program restricting late night parking on Cannon on Friday and Saturday nights continue. Police report high success - no incidents of late night disturbances at the lakefront at Fullerton or the area around North Pond and Cannon Drive have occurred since the pilot began. As stated previously, we will analyze this program each week and continue to let area residents know the status. Thank you for working together with police as we take steps to protect our community.

Chicago Hot Dog Fest

Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 11

11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Lincoln Park at Stockton and LaSalle

Now in its seventh year, the Chicago Hot Dog Fest has become one of the world's largest festivals to honor the red hot. Stop by and take a bite along with a full line-up of bands, history, family activities and Vienna Beef hot dogs prepared by the city’s top hot dog vendors.

A $5 suggested donation directly supports the mission, exhibitions, and programs of the Chicago History Museum. For more information and advance tickets, click  here.

Ginza Holiday

Japanese Cultural Festival

Friday, August 9: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 10: 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 11: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Midwest Buddhist Temple

435 W. Menomonee

One of Chicago's most unique and beautiful festivals, the Ginza Holiday features live performances such as Minyou Folk Dance, Taiko Drumming and Martial Arts. Enjoy Japanese food, including the famous Midwest Buddhist Temple's Teriyaki Chicken!

The Waza, a federation of Japanese artisans dedicated to traditional crafts dating back over 300 years, will be demonstrating ceramics, papermaking, and fabric techniques. Local artisans will be selling hand-made jewelry, beautiful examples of Origami, ceramics for both function and display, Japanese clothing, and much, much more.

A $5 donation directly supports the Midwest Buddhist Temple. For more information, click  here.

Old Town School of Music

Open House

Sunday, August 11

2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

909 W. Armitage Ave.



The Old Town School of Music will host an Open House with an afternoon full of free workshops and jams, dancing, and sample classes, including many for children. This is a great introduction to the community for newcomers and an opportunity for longtime friends to try something new. For a full line up of events, visit their website here.

Old Town Merchants Residents

The Value of Brick and Mortar Retailers

Tuesday, August 13

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Wintrust Bank - Old Town

100 W. North Ave.

Learn how to drive foot traffic to your retail store through experience engineering in this seminar brought to you by The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.

The presentation will focus on addressing challenges by providing solutions and best practices for brick and mortar retailers to stay competitive in the age of online shopping. Hear about ways to create experiences that will drive customers to your shop from Terrand Smith, Founder and President of 37 Oaks, a retail consulting firm.

You can register for the event here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-value-of-brick-and-mortar-retailers-tickets-66369343493

Communicating with Families Dealing with Dementia

Tuesday, August 13

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Belmont Village

700 W. Fullerton Ave.

This program will help you better understand the challenges family caregivers face – from diagnosis to end-of-life, and the range of emotional reactions to dementia by families, especially primary givers. Presenters will also provide information and resources for families needing assistance.

A $5 fee paid in advance is requested.

RSVP to  [email protected]  or 847-462-0885.

60th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show

August 17 - 18

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

North Ave. Beach

T he 60th annual show will take to the skies and waterfront from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, with North Avenue Beach   as the center point. Make sure to arrive early to secure your spot and catch the spectacular demonstrations by aircrafts, boats, and diving and parachute teams.

Movies in the Park

August, 2019

Thanks to Wrightwood Neighbors, Oz Park Advisory Council, and the History Museum for sponsoring these movies!

All movies begin at dusk (any weather site shows the time of dusk each day).    Call (312) 742-1134 for daily listings and weather-related cancellations.  For a full line-up and more information, visit the website  here.

Jonquil Park

August 10 - Ralph Breaks the Internet

Oz Park

August 24 - Wizard of Oz

Lincoln Park (Chicago History Museum)

August 21 - Singin' in the Rain

Dickens Greenway Meeting

Thursday, August, 22

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Lincoln Park Cultural Center

2045 N Lincoln Park West



Join us for our second community meeting about the proposed Dickens Greenway. CDOT and their consultants will provide a presentation outlining their latest proposed design for a safer pedestrian and bike-friendly route in our neighborhood. For information about greenways, click here.

Brookfield Zoo Free Passes

Every Summer the  Chicago Zoological Society donates zoo passes and free parking passes to Brookfield Zoo. Tickets are limited and available at my office. Stop by and get them before they are gone!

Plan your visit and check out their website for hours and directions  here.

College Interns Needed

Autumn / Winter Session

We are seeking qualified interns interested in gaining valuable municipal government experience, assisting the 43rd Ward office in constituent services, business outreach, public policy, and legislative research.

 

The ideal intern should be motivated with strong writing skills, great attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication skills.

If you're interested please send a copy of your resume and a 1-3 page writing sample to  [email protected]  or check out our posts on  LinkedIn  or Handshake.

Office Closed

Friday, August 9

The ward office will be closed on Friday, August 9th for our final training and office reorganization session. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will be open on Monday, August 12th with our regular business hours.

Enjoy your weekend,

Michele Smith

43rd Ward Alderman

August 7, 2019