ASNA Board Meeting – Monday, January 9, 2012
1706 W. Carmen Ave. (Noel Suarez). Social hour: 6:30. Meeting: 7 p.m.
ASNA Chicago
Andersonville South Neighborhood Association News and Events
Category: News and Announcements
Happy Holidays, Everyone!
We in Andersonville South have much to be thankful for, especially our wonderful neighborhood. Among the things that add to its unique character are the many diverse and locally owned shops. These shop owners are under increasing pressure from rising rents, high property taxes, a weak economy and a growing number of chain stores. The Clark Street corridor is vital to Andersonville as it provides jobs, tax revenue and the neighborhood feel that is one of the main attractions to living in our area. The ASNA Board encourages all of our residents to support our local merchants as much as you can this holiday season and throughout the year. The ASNA Board will stay informed on the issues that arise affecting these retailers, share them with our residents and represent our neighborhood in any discussions that arise. Our thanks to you for being good and caring neighbors.
—Your ASNA Board
Sears parking lot development moving forward
Development of the Sears parking lot at Lawrence and Ravenswood was the focus of a Ward Council meeting on December 1. On the south side, there would be a $42 million retail development anchored by a Mariano’s grocery store and Sears Auto Center. On the north side would be a low-rise, low-density residential development. Alderman Pawar strongly backs the proposal and will arrange for a $4.5 million TIF break for the developers. This amount would be recouped in roughly four years based on sales and property tax revenues. Construction would be completed in Spring 2013 along with the Lawrence streetscaping, Metra bridge fix and station revamp. On the plus side, the construction will be LEED certified, which means it’s green. There will be a self-contained traffic pattern with only one vehicular access point from Lawrence, and no alley access or entry points in the surrounding residential neighborhood. The developers will contribute $250,000 to a new urban agriculture fund grow food in the 47th Ward, and there will be a shuttlebus for seniors. There will be plenty of on-site parking for retail customers – some 200 spaces. The 50 spaces dedicated to Metra riders are a potential problem. Metra leases those spaces from Sears, but that will end the day they break ground. It would be worth follow-up questions for those interested in attending the two other meetings on this issue scheduled for December 15 and December 19. Check the Alderman’s website at http://chicago47.org/ for details, including a slide presentation.
—Chris Bayard
ASNA Caroling Party
5:30 p.m. First and last stop is the home of ASNA President Rosenberg and wife Andy, 1644 W. Carmen. Everyone invited for some holiday cheer!
ASNA Board Meeting – Monday, December 12, 2011
1617 W. Winona (Bryan & Christy Carmody). Social hour: 6:30. Meeting: 7 p.m.
Protect your identity!
There have been reports of people going through neighborhood garbage cans in search of personal documents that can be used to gain access to financial and other accounts. As always, prevention is the best protection. Some tips:
- Report lost or stolen credit cards to the issuer immediately.
- Sign your new credit cards (before someone else does).
- Memorize your Social Security number and passwords: don’t carry them with you. Do not use your date of birth as your password.
- Do not leave receipts behind at the ATM, gas pumps or store counters. Be sure to check credit card and other financial statements for accuracy.
- Do not leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
- Shred unwanted documents that contain personal information.
- Review your consumer credit report annually.
Source: Chicago Police Department
47th Ward Wellness Fair, November 12, 2011
From Alderman Pawar’s 47th ward office:
The 47th Ward will be hosting a Wellness Fair which will include free flu shots to anyone over 6 months old and information pertinent to their wellbeing. Sulzer Library, Saturday, November 12thFrom 9am-2pm.
Click here to download the the PDF for more information.
Meet your alderman!
47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar will be at the ASNA board meeting on Monday, November 14. Prewar was elected in May to succeed Eugene Schulter who served more than 20 years. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Koval Distillery, 5121 N. Ravenswood. There wil be a social hour with cider and doughnuts starting at 6:30 p.m. Bring questions/concerns. Everyone welcome!
A Howlin’ Success
Some 68 dogs and a record crowd of some 250 cheering onlookers turned out for this year’s Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade & Costume Contest sponsored by ASNA with our neighbor The Bow Wow Lounge, 1744 W. Winona. It was the 7th year and our biggest crowd ever.
Check out the fun photos taken by neighbor and ace photographer Eric Schrempp in the ASNA photo gallery!
TV legend Ben Hollis kept the crowd amused and howling. This year’s judges were Sheri Berliner, owner of Petraits Pet Photography; Commander Lucy Moy, head of the Chicago Police 20th District; and 7th District State Sen. Heather Steans.
The $50 Grand Prize went to Leslie Rosario and Tina Allen, dressed as the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland, with Louie (a Yorkie) as the White Rabbit.
$25 cash prizes were awarded for:
- Most Original—Gabe Sopocy, owner of Bertie, a mini-Poodle mix, dressed as “Serene Sky with Birds”
- Funniest—Kaleen Healy, owner of Joe, a mutt, dressed as Peppy LePew
- Scariest—Evan Singer and Lori Buerger, owner of Noodles, a Rotty-Shepard mix, dressed as a haunted house
- Homemade—Rebecca Languth and Henri Dugas IV, owners of Olive, a Jack Russell Terrier, dressed as Dulek from Dr. Who
- Best Pet/Owner Combo—Tom and Monica Mackie with their three dogs (Millie Mae and Molly Sue (Beagles) and Merlin McArthur (a Corgy) dressed as The Three Musketeers
- Judge’s Favorite—John Pendergrass and Lisa Hauser owners dressed as skeletons with Mr. Spock, a Tibetan Terrier, dressed as the “Dog of the Dead”
- Best Entry by Owner Age 12 & Under (a tie)—Nicholas Rizzo, age 3 and Bear, an English Shepard, dressed as a cowboy and cow. Lilliann Jerneuil , age 3, and Leo, a boxer, dressed as the Cowardly Lion.
All entrants received three free raffle tickets. More than 20 prizes were offered including gift certificates, a doggie backpack, bedrolls and an assortment of fun toys.
Our thanks to all the volunteers, participants & businesses who helped make this year’s event a howlin’ success!
Call of the Wild School for Dogs
3027 N. Rockwell
Famous Fido Rescue & Adoption Alliance
5148 N. Clark
Painted Light Photography/Framing Gallery
1742 W. Balmoral
www.petraits.com
Ruff N’ Stuff Pet Center
5430 N. Clark
1148 W. Leland
5545 N. Clark
5047 N. Clark
Neighborhood News & Announcements
ASNA Garage-Alley Sale—last chance to sign up!
The sale is a go! It will be Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the alley between Carmen and Winona. Tables can be set up, and homemade food sold as well. Publicity, including Craig’s List and signage around the neighborhood, is in the works. There’s a registration fee of $15. Make checks payable to the Andersonville South Neighborhood Association and drop off to ASNA President Mark Rosenberg at 1644 Carmen by this Saturday, August 27. Be sure to include your name address, telephone.
Help wanted
Do you have writing and or lay-out skills? ASNA is looking for a newsletter editor and layout person for its quarterly newsletter. The 8-page newsletter comes out twice a year and focuses on people, places and news of interest to our neighborhood. The fall issue is due out in October. It’s a great way to get experience and add to your resume, as well as learn more about our neighborhood. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email ASNA President Mark Rosenbergend at mark@home123furniture.com.
Party pics online!
In case you havn’t heard, this year’s Neighborhood Block Party held July 30 on Carmen was one of our all-time best with tons of great food, music, fun and games for all ages. More than 150 people attended, including our new Alderman Ameya Pawar, who stopped by to mix and mingle. To see some fun pictures taken by ace photographer Eric Schrempp, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/asnachicago/sets/72157627207871109/. If you have photos to add, please send them to our webmaster Noel Suarez at noelsuarez@hotmail.com.
Your chance to speak up
There will be a presentation of public infrastructure projects in the ward that Alderman Pawar will submit to the City. Every year each of the 50 wards receives about a million dollars, called the “menu” fund, for repairing streets, alleys, curbs, speed humps, etc. Join the alderman at the ward office, 4243 N. Lincoln Avenue, on Thursday, August 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to review the list and give input. If you are not able to attend, see the ward website for information. Also, feel free to send ideas to: info@chicago47.org.
Mayor Emanuel will lead a public town hall discussion on the 2012 City budget proposal on Wednesday, August 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren Street. For more info, call 312-744-6670, 9-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the City’s interactive budget website, www.ChicagoBudget.org, to submit ideas, get information and join the conversation.
Reminder
Thanks to everyone who joined/renewed their support for ASNA at the Neighborhood Block Party. If you haven’t contributed yet, there’s still time. (See attached Membership Form). ASNA’s fiscal year runs through July 31, 2012. In addition to the block party, your dues support neighborhood beautification efforts, the ASNA newsletter and website, the popular Howl-O-Ween, holiday party and other opportunities to provide input into neighborhood concerns and get to know your neighbors. Encourage your neighbors to join too! Download a membership form here.
Next ASNA board meeting
The board’s next meeting has been moved from Monday, Sept. 12, to Wednesday, Sept. 14. There’ll be a social (half) hour starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting starts at 7 at the home of Elaine Filus, 1748 W. Carmen. Bring a drink or appetizer to share. Everyone welcome!