News From the 50th Ward

 

Dear Neighbor,

This Tuesday, November 5, I along with State Senator Ira Silverstein will be holding a free immigration assistance event. The office of Attorney General Lisa Madigan will teach you how to avoid fraud and the scams commonly perpetrated against immigrants. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office will show you how to get a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL).

This event is your opportunity to learn about the scammers that may target you and avoid the common schemes that try to take your money without offering you any real help. In addition, you will learn how to take advantage of the new driver’s license program for immigrants. People ineligible for a Social Security card can now receive a driver’s license under Illinois State Law. This new process will help ensure that everyone on the road, regardless of citizenship, is tested for driving ability before they are allowed behind the wheel.

The immigration event will be at the Croatian Cultural Center, 2845 W. Devon, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please call me at (773) 262-1050.

On Wednesday, November 13, I will be holding a Senior Fair together with the 24th District Chicago Police. The Community Policing Office will teach you how not to become a victim. Seniors will be taught how to become aware of their surroundings, learn when to call 911 and receive general tips on how to stay safe.

The Fair will also feature staff from the Illinois Department of Aging who will be available to speak with you about programs for seniors. This special event will be at the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center, 3003 W. Touhy, at 4 p.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. For more information, please call me.

I am pleased to announce the winning designs for the new playgrounds at Chippewa Park and Rogers Park. These two parks will be the first of eight 50th Ward playgrounds to receive all new equipment. I would like to thank the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Parks for all their hard work, as well as all the parents and kids who came out to vote for their favorite design.

The winning design for Chippewa Park is as follows:


The following is the winning design for Rogers Park:


Both playgrounds will be complete and ready for play by July of 2014.

Due to a change in federal law, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will decrease for all SNAP households starting today, November 1. This is due to the expiration of the extra benefits provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the Stimulus.

To learn more about how this will affect you, please call the Illinois Department of Human Services at (800) 843-6154.

As the weather gets colder and winter rapidly approaches, I want to remind everyone that the city’s street sweeping season is coming to an end. Please help us keep the Ward clean by keeping leaves out of our streets, curbs and gutters. Raking or sweeping leaves into the street is not only against city ordinance, but it also inconveniences your neighbors and can clog the sewer system. Please help by removing any leaves that fall into the street in front of your residence. You can bag them and place them in your garbage carts to be picked up by city crews or take the environmentalist route and compost them.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is a satisfying way to turn fruit, vegetable and yard waste into a dark, crumbly, sweet-smelling soil conditioner through the natural decaying process, and it is the key to healthy soil and a healthy environment. The best part is, you can qualify for a rebate on your compost bin through the Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program. For more information, please click here.

The 50th Ward will celebrate two holidays this week – Diwali and the Islamic New Year. Our Ward is a wonderfully diverse community and I wish a happy holiday to everyone!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein
Alderman, 50th Ward

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Change Your Clocks


Fall has arrived and it is almost time to "fall back." Daylight Savings Times ends this Saturday night – November 3 – at 2 a.m. Do not forget to set your clocks back one hour. It is also recommended to check your smoke detectors and change the batteries.


Beyond October!


October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the problem does not disappear on the 31st. Beyond October! is a city-wide initiative that aims to emphasize the importance of mammograms beyond breast cancer month and will help to ease waitlists by providing over 1,000 free mammograms to uninsured women in Chicago.

Hospitals throughout the city are donating free mammograms. For more information or to schedule a free mammogram, visit the The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force website here or call (312) 942-1899.


Chicago Unique Church Benefit

Join St. James Presbyterian Church for an evening of story and song. The church will be holding Chicago Unique, a special event featuring professional storytellers and original music performances.

The event is this Saturday, November 2, at 6554 N. Rockwell. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served at 7 p.m. followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. You can purchase tickets at www.stjameschicago.org.


I Remember Rogers Park

Join the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society for a special oral history project. Hear real Rogers Park stories as told by the residents who lived them. Listen to interviews of local residents, view a gallery of vintage photos and record your own oral history or Rogers Park.

I Remember Rogers Park will be at the Rogers Park Library, 6907 N. Clark, this Saturday, November 2, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call (312) 744-0156.


Forgotten West Ridge and Rogers Park

Join Forgotten Chicago for a presentation focusing on the overlooked history of West Ridge and Rogers Park. This engaging seminar will discuss the Edgewater Golf Club, long gone greenhouses that once populated the neighborhood, architectural gems, former movie palaces and more!

In true Forgotten Chicago form, experts will show present-day photos of the remnants that remain, demonstrating that relics of history are often hidden in plain sight. The presentation will be fully illustrated with historic and present-day photos and maps.

This special event will be on Tuesday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northtown Library, 6435 N. California. For more information, please call (312) 744-2292.


Family and School Partnership Forums


Is your child receiving special education services at Chicago Public Schools? CPS wants to hear from parents and family members of children with diverse learning needs. The Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) is holding a series of forums to teach you about the office and to share your feedback on resources, supports and services to help improve learning for students receiving special education services.

All events will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, with registration starting at 8 a.m. The forums will be as follows:

Saturday, November 2
Lane Technical High School
2501 W. Addison Street
Free parking

Saturday, November 9
Illinois Institute of Technology, Herman Hall
3241 S. Federal

Saturday, November 23
Arturo Velasquez Institute
2800 S. Western
Free Parking

All events are free, and light refreshment will be provided. Register for a forum online here. For more information, please visit www.cpsdiverselearner.org or email odlss_familyforums@cps.edu.


Networking Extravaganza

Join the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce for the 11th annual Networking Extravaganza. This is your opportunity to meet, mix and mingle with business owners and Chambers of Commerce members from all over the city .

The networking event will be held on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lion Head Pub, 2251 N. Lincoln Ave.

For more information, please contact the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce at (773) 743-6022 or email westridgechamber@sbcglobal.net.


Comedy Hypnosis Show for St. Margaret Mary School


Join St. Margaret Mary School for an evening of comedy with Chicago’s “No. 1 Comedy Hypnotist.”

St. Margaret Mary School will be holding a special comedy and cocktail benefit on Saturday, November 16. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m. together with appetizers and a dessert auction. The show starts at 8 p.m. All of the fun is in the school’s activity center, 7341 N. Claremont.

You must be 21 or over to attend the show. Tickets cost $20 if purchased before November 9 and $25 after. For more information or to buy your tickets, please visit www.smmschool.com.


Parent Workshop

Join Chicago Public Schools North/Northwest Collaborative for a special parent workshop. Learn about your student’s health and wellness and join breakout sessions to learn more about the Common Core Standards, college application process, anti-bullying initiatives and more!

The workshop will be on November 16 at Schurz High School, 3601 N. Milwaukee. Breakfast and registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the the keynote address starting at 9:20 a.m.  All parents are welcome, and child care will be available.

RSVP by November 13 to Les Kniskern at (773) 534-9905 or lpkniskern@cps.edu.


Citywide Volunteer Training from the Chicago Police


Join the Chicago Police Department for a citywide volunteer training seminar. Learn about community tools to address bad businesses. The seminar will feature guest speaker Barbara Gressel, Deputy Commissioner of the Adjudication and Prosecutions Section of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

The training seminar will be at the Chicago Public Safety Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan, on November 13 at 5:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, please contact William Townsell at (312) 745-5900 or by email at william.townsell@chicagopolice.org.


Local School Council Elections

Make a difference – run for your Local School Council. The nomination period for your Local School Council elections begins on Monday, November 18 and ends on February 26. The election will then be held on Monday, April 7 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at elementary schools and high schools.

Candidate nomination packets will be available at your local school. For more information, please contact the Office of Local School Council Relations at (773) 553-1400 or in person at 125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor.

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