Dear Friends,

Art fairs will fill the streets this weekend.  The Old Town Art Fair and the Wells Street Art Fest both take place near North Avenue.  St. Michael's and the Church of Three Crosses will also have special events going this weekend.  Before we get to the weekend there is still the business of hockey.

We're all on the Blackhawks band-wagon and expecting a decisive win tonight.  With that possibility, there are areas that will have parking removed beginning at 5PM and continuing until (at least) 11PM.  The list of streets in the 43rd Ward follows.  Any cars parked on these streets will be towed.   

Both sides of
Lincoln - from Webster-Belden
Weed - from Fremont-Kingsbury
Fremont - from Blackhawk-North
Armitage - from Sheffield-Bissell
Webster - from Sheffield-Bissell

These areas may also have limited vehicle traffic in the event of celebrations.

Sincerely,

Vi

     Upcoming Events

Wednesday, June 9, 6:30PM - 8:30PM - Tee's Transformed - A Father's Day Edition at the Nature Museum.  Bring along your old or thrifted tees, all other materials will be provided.  Learn how to make an eco-friendly and elegant tie.  You will draft a tie pattern, stitch and iron a tie from scratch. $25

Saturday, June 12, 10AM - 3PM.  National Get Outdoors Day.  Join local outdoor-affiliated organizations for this FREE day of fresh air adventure and family fun.  Guided nature hikes, Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, bike safety and more.  Free raffle to win American Girl Doll "Lanie" or a tent from REI.  At Lincoln Park Zoo, sponsored by USDA Forest Service, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, REI and Fishin' Buddies.

Friday-Sunday, June 11 (5-10), June 12 (3-10) and June 13 (3-9).  St. Michael's Fest kicks of the week-end with music, food and beverages.  Saturday and Sunday will be highlighted by a "Bags" tournament both days from 3-6.

Saturday/Sunday, June 12/13, 10AM - 6PM - Old Town Art Fair.  The 61st Old Town Art Fair kicks off Saturday - rain or shine - featuring 260 acclaimed artists.  There is something for everyone with a music stage, children's corner, great food and a garden walk - all nestled under the trees.

Saturday/Sunday, June 12/13, 10AM - 10PM - The Wells Street Art Festival runs on Wells from North to Division featuring a wide variety of fine art - from glass to ceramics, to pencil drawings and oil painting.  Musicians, fine foods, a silent auction and more will fill your senses.

Saturday, June 19, 9AM - 2PM.  Purchase your City Sticker, Zone Parking Permit and Daily Guest Passes.  The City Clerk's staff will be on hand to provide you with all of your vehicle sticker needs.  We will also be accepting non-prescription medicines.  Aspirins and cold syrups are examples of items that should not be thrown in the trash.  Dispose of your expired, non-prescription meds and/or purchase your 2010/2011 City vehicle stickers at Alderman Daley's Ward Office, 735 W Wrightwood.   

Monday, June 21 6:30PM - Best-selling author Gail Sheehy will be the guest speaker at Lincoln Park Village's first anniversary celebration.  Participating will be a panel with Warner Saunders, Judith Graham and Dr. Martin Gorbien.  Tickets $15/members; $20/non-members at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark.  773/248-8700   



CAPS Beat Meetings

Wednesday, June 9, 6:30PM Beat 1812 for the area bounded by Fullerton and Armitage from Halsted to Sedgwick/Clark.

Wednesday, June 16, 7PM Beat 1811/1813 for the area west of Sheffield between Dickens and Armitage and the area between Armitage and North from Halsted to Sedgwick.  Meeting takes place at St. Michael's, 1711 N Cleveland.

Thursday, June 17, 7PM Beat 2333 for the area east of Clark Street from Fullerton to Diversey.     

     News Around the Ward

In the last newsletter I reported on police efforts at North Avenue beach following a series of alarming incidents.  There have been a number of additional steps taken by the Chicago Police at the direction of 18th District Commander Angarone.  These measures have been instituted along the lakefront and have already improved public safety.  I wanted to make sure that you were aware of these measures.

1) Security cameras have been installed.
2) A Zero Tolerance Policy for any unauthorized alcoholic beverages is in effect.
3) All-terrain vehicles have been purchased and are in use along the lakefront.
4) Increased police patrols are on the lakefront and in the neighboring communities.
5) Random bag and cooler checks are taking place surrounding the area at North Avenue beach.
6) Police transports have been stationed near North Avenue beach.

Your safety is my greatest concern.  The incidents that precipitated these increases were unusual and will not be allowed to continue.  I will continue to work with the police districts that serve the 43rd Ward to ensure that every possible resource is utilized to protect anyone who lives in or visits this community.

Your eyes and ears are a necessary aspect to good policing.  If you see or hear something that seems off, call 9-1-1.  They can't be everywhere, but they are close.  Let them know where they are needed.  When possible, attend your CAPS Beat meeting.  The police who regularly patrol your beat attend these meetings and need your input.

Finally, I would like to thank the police officers of the 18th District for making one of our beats the safest in the City according to recent ICAM reports.  When a problem is reported we quickly forget how comfortable we had been before learning of the incident.  All of the police officers serving this ward work diligently to keep us safe and allow us to go about our day-to-day schedules with barely a concern about safety.  

Enjoy the lakefront, the jogging paths and your streets. 

Congratulations to Marena Swenson

Marena Swenson was recently inducted into the Chicago Senior Citizen Hall of Fame.  The award recognizes her leadership with the Sheffield Neighborhood Association on behalf of local schools.  Marena has participated in the Sheffield Garden Walk every year and was awarded the Sheffield Star Award for her volunteer activities in the community.   

Marena Swenson continues to protest that she had done nothing to deserve such recognition.  As a nursery school and Sunday school teacher for more than 30 years, there are thousands who would challenge her assessment.  Marena was also a founding member of the Rochelle Lee Fund (now Boundless Readers).  Boundless Readers addresses one of Chicago’s and the nation’s greatest problems  children who do not read competently enough to meet the demands of today’s world  academically, socially, politically, and economically.  We believe that every child deserves the opportunity of becoming a successful reader.

Congratulations Marena.  You are an inspiration to us all.

Property Tax Appeals for Owners South of Fullerton

The Cook County Board of Review is currently accepting property tax appeals for the North Chicago Township (Fullerton south to the Chicago River and from the lake to the river).  Alderman Daley will host an appeal workshop with Board of Review staff on Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 6:30PM in Room 103 of Lincoln Park High School.  

The City of Chicago property tax assistance center will have staff at the Ward office, 735 W Wrightwood, on Thursday, June 17th from 2:00PM to 6:00PM.  

The appeal deadline is Monday, June 21, 2010.  

 Artistic Bike Racks

An ordinance that Alderman Daley introduced passed City Council today that will allow businesses and neighborhood organizations a greater role in the design and placement of bike racks.  This new ordinance will allow groups to create bike racks that are harmonious with their communities.  

Private groups, from individuals and individual businesses to chambers of commerce and neighborhood organizations will work with the City's Department of Public Art to commission artists to design creative bike racks.  Design requirements will be centered on neighborhood preferences and allow for unique interpretations.

Friends of Vi Daley Fund Raiser

Friends of Vi Daley will host fund-raiser on Tuesday, June 15th at Castaways at North Avenue Beach.  Many events and services are possible because of funding from the Friends of Vi account.  To RSVP or for additional information, call 312-208-9591 or send an email to info@vidaley.com.  Hope to see you next week.

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Vi Daley.  No taxpayer funds are used in the production of this newsletter.