We ask that all Seniors age 60 and better to call the Ward office at  773.769.1140 and reserve their place on the bus for this event.

When:

Mayor Daley is hosting his annual Senior Fest event at McCormick Place North on Wednesday, August 18, 2010.  I invite you to join us on the main stage as we celebrate Chicago’s seniors.

Approximately 8,000 seniors are expected to attend this one-day citywide event.  Activities are scheduled to be in full swing by 10:30 a.m., and we anticipate that the Mayor will join us sometime after 11:15 a.m.

Chicago residents age 60 and better come Inside and Enjoy the Fun !!!

• Raffle Prizes
• Bingo!
• Picnic Lunch
• Game Area
• Dance Pavilion
• Healthy Aging Pavilion
• Senior Artist Pavilion

For more information call the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, Senior Services Area Agency on Aging at 312.744.4016.

The 40th Ward has been given an opportunity for complimentary transportation of our seniors to this years Senior Fest on the 18th of August.  The providers of this service need a guaranteed minimum registration level of 25 participants (maximum – 40 participants) to provide this service for our Ward.

We ask that all Seniors age 60 and better to call the Ward office at  773.769.1140 and reserve their place on the bus for this event.

Park or Stand on Sidewalk, Park or Stand on Parkway and  Park or Stand on Crosswalk. It is illegal to park on a sidewalk, parkway or crosswalk. While most motorists know this, some do not know that in a private driveway that requires a vehicle to drive over a public sidewalk you cannot park your vehicle in your driveway with its rear or front extending over the pedestrian sidewalk. This is illegal, in part, because your vehicle may be impeding the ability of a person in a wheel chair to travel without difficulty on the sidewalk. Further, pedestrians, including parents or caregivers with strollers, have the right to expect the public way to be fully clear of impediments like parked vehicles. Similarly, you cannot park with your wheels on the curb. Vehicles that park with two wheels on a curb can seriously damage the curb. Further, many residents consider this practice unsightly.

Improper Display of City Sticker

Most Chicago residents know they are required to display current city stickers on their vehicles. What may be less widely known is that there are specific display requirements for city stickers. This means that many motorists will be required to remove expired stickers purchased in previous years. City law requires that your city sticker be placed on the inside of your vehicle on the lower right hand side of your windshield.

Parking a Vehicle 6 Feet or Higher Within 20 Feet of a Crosswalk

If you own or rent a large vehicle like a suburban utility vehicle (SUV) it may be 6 feet or taller. You may not park a vehicle 6 feet or taller within 20 feet of a crosswalk because other motorists may have difficulty seeing around your vehicle before entering an intersection. Therefore, this restriction promotes safety for all drivers as well as pedestrians.

Parking a Vehicle for the Sole Purpose of Displaying the Vehicle for Sale
Parking a Vehicle to Make Repairs
Parking a Vehicle To Sell Merchandise

You may not park your vehicle for the sole purpose of displaying it for sale, to make repairs or to sell merchandise. These restrictions promote quality of life, and the residential look to a community. Many residents feel that vehicles parked on the public way for these purposes are unsightly

Parking In An Alley

While many motorists know that you are not allowed to park in an alley because traffic flow may be obstructed, some motorists are unaware that this includes parking in front of a garage. You cannot park your car in front of your garage because this can obstruct traffic flow and obstruct the ability for other motorists to maneuver in and out of their garages.

Wrong Direction or 12 Inches from the Curb

• This parking restriction is actually a combination of two restrictions. It is illegal to park in the direction opposite to traffic flow. For example, most motorists are aware that a one way street requires you to park in the required direction of traffic. A lesser known restriction is that you are still required to park your vehicle in the direction of traffic on a street that allows traffic in two directions, For example, on a street that runs north and south with traffic flowing north on the right, and south on the left, parked vehicles on the right must be facing north. Parked vehicles on the left must be facing south. This restriction promotes the correct flow of traffic.
• You cannot park your vehicle more than 12 inches from a curb. This restriction is designed to encourage the free flow of traffic by ensuring that vehicles are not impeded by parked vehicles that are too far out into the roadway.
• Vehicles sticking out too far into the roadway also have a higher likelihood of being hit or scraped by passing vehicles.

Parking Outside Diagonal Markings

Chicago does have parking spots that are marked by diagonal lines. You must park within these lines so that other motorists can park in spaces next to yours without difficulty.

Snow Route: 2 Inches of Snow or More

Please do not ignore your parking tickets or the mailed notices.

Take action by contesting your tickets or paying your tickets by the “pay by date” on the Notice of Violation. Avoid additional penalties by timely remitting payment.

Please remember to update your license plate registration with the Illinois Secretary of State or your home state’s vehicle authority every time you move. Please note, updating your address on your driver’s license does not necessarily mean that your address will be updated on your license plate registration.

If you have questions, please visit us at cityofchicago.org/revenue or call us at 312.744.7275.

“We all know that providing more students with individual attention is the key to their long term success,” Daley said in a news conference held at Chicago Military Academy, 3519 S. Giles Av.

“To do this we will be embracing technology and online learning more than ever before and that’s transformative — something we’ve never done to this extent before,” he said.

Summer school has been mandatory for students who need it since 1996. This summer, all CPS programs are expected to serve more than 95,000 students in traditional summer school classes and other summer programs.

Daley said the summer online program will transform summer school this year to benefit students at every level and from every background.

“Unless our students are prepared to be part of the modern technology world and use it to their advantage, they are less likely to succeed,” he said. “That’s why I won’t be satisfied — and neither should any parent — until every child graduates ready to compete in the world economy in the 21st century.”

The online program is split into four different tracks to provide the most individualized instruction possible.

• 7th and 8th graders who need remedial work will be enrolled in pre-algebra and composition courses that will prepare them for core high school requirements. These fully online courses will be available to students from any location. All courses will be taught online by certified instructors.
• High school students who have fallen off-track will be able to take credit recovery courses. By re-taking courses they have failed during the school year, students will have the opportunity to get back on track to graduate. These courses will be available at CPS schools offering summer school programs. All courses will be taught online by certified instructors.
• Students will have the opportunity to accelerate their learning by taking core courses online during the summer. This will ensure students meet graduation requirements and have the time in their schedule to take advanced course offerings during the school year.
• Finally, high school juniors will be able to enroll in independent study courses. These fully online courses will allow students to pursue unique learning options. Many of the courses have been built in partnership with leading Chicago cultural institutions, such as the Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago Art Institute and Broadway in Chicago.

In addition to the new online program, CPS will continue to offer many other summer initiatives – all of which have been re-designed to focus more on targeted, individualized instruction. These include:

• Freshman Connection, which helps elementary school students make the sometimes difficult transition to high school, and will serve an estimated 11,600 students at 100 locations.
• Summer Bridge, for elementary students who do not meet the minimum promotion criteria per board policy. It will serve an estimated 26,500 students in 500 schools.
• Extended School year for 4,800 special education students in 125 schools.
• 9-12 Summer School will serve an estimated 20,000 students at 82 schools.

Daley also said that the City’s “Youth Ready Chicago” program will provide 2,400 high school students with summer jobs and the “Keep Kids Learning” program will provide 2,500 3rd through 12th graders with full-day academic, social and recreation enrichment.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to reach out to students at every level to keep them learning, to keep them safe, and to get them ready to succeed in the classroom and graduate from high school,” the Mayor said.

“We need our children to learn in a technology based environment and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish during the regular school year and during summer school,” he said.

The anticipated completion date, which was scheduled for August, has been moved up to the end of July.  We can’t wait  to have a state-of-the art grocery store in our neighborhood soon. Link: Pictures

Related Stories: Link

When:

Grand Marshal of this year’s parade is country singer/songwriter Chely Wright.

The parade will feature 250 registered entries including floats, decorated vehicles, performance groups, a marching band and walking contingents.

The entries represent community organizations, businesses, governmental officials and individual community members.

Crowd estimates each year are in the hundreds of thousands. So the plans are to line the parade route with barricades on both sides of the street from beginning of the parade route to Diversey. Spectators will be required to remain behind the barricades. In recent years, the City of Chicago has required that several large city parades, including the Pride Parade, line their parade routes with barricades to prevent injuries.

Parade Route: Step off from the Halsted & Belmont corner, proceeding north on Halsted (to Broadway); then south on Broadway (to Diversey); then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive, in Lincoln Park.

Needs and Special Needs

Portable Restrooms – are stationed along the assembly area (the parade line-up street) and the parade route. They are sponsored by various businesses, organizations and individuals. Included at several locations are restrooms for the physically challenged.

Physically Challenged Area/Wheelchair Accessible Area – for people who need or want more space: the sidewalks of West Diversey Parkway (near 600 W. Diversey). Traditionally this area of the parade route has fewer spectators than other sections of the parade route. Spectators in these areas generally arrive there early on parade morning to secure their viewing spots. Included there are wheelchair accessible restrooms. The area is also barricaded for better protection.

Ten Tips for Parade Spectators

1. The parade starts at 12 Noon. So, arrive early to find a good spot.
2. Parking in the area is limited, so walk, take public transportation (or if you must drive, then car pool). For CTA/PACE/Metra transit information, call 773-836-7000; Web Site: www.transitchicago.com.
3. The parade route (both sides of Halsted Street and Broadway Avenue) will be lined with barricades as required by the City of Chicago. Spectators will be required to stand behind the barricades, not in the street. Besides the parade registrants traveling down the middle of the street, only police officers, other city officials and parade marshals will be allowed in the street.
4. Alcohol consumption should NOT take place along the parade route. Bring plenty of bottled water and sun screen and dress lightly.
5. Keep the area clean by using trash barrels.
6. Since crowds have increased in recent years on Halsted Street, spectators are being asked to try other sections of the parade route to view the parade (for example, West Diversey Parkway or Broadway from Wellington to Diversey). Spectators must watch the parade on the parade route, not in the assembly area.
7. City ordinance prevents parade participants from tossing items to spectators. Likewise, spectators should not toss items back to parade participants. Spectators are not allowed to walk into the street to get items. Spectators must wait until parade participants come to the sidelines to hand out items. Parade participants are not allowed to hand out items to spectators who are standing on sidewalks in the assembly area. (So, spectators who want sample items must view the parade from the actual parade route.)
8. Do NOT use high-powered water rifles, “Super Soakers” or squirt guns, because they could cause injuries.
9. Each year when the parade ends, spectators are kept out of the street because the Streets and Sanitation Department removes barricades and begins cleaning the streets. Then, the police reopen the streets to traffic.
10. As in past years, police personnel and PRIDEChicago marshals will be on hand, but spectators can be a big help by obeying the above rules.

Business Works Seminars will be offered throughout the year:

Thursdays, 5:30pm -9:00pm
June 17, 2010 – Wright College – 4300 N. Narragansett (Information Below)
August 19, 2010 – West Side Technical Institute -2800 S. Western Ave. (Check Website for more Information)
November 18, 2010 – Malcolm X College – 1900 W. Van Buren St. (Check Website for more Information)

Website: www.cityofchicago.org/bacp
Registration: None

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) reminds entrepreneurs about the upcoming free business works seminar geared towards helping new business owners with access to resources and financing.

The seminar will be offered on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett at 5:30 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public, registration is not required.

At the event, entrepreneurs will connect with nearly 30 government and non-profit agencies that assist small businesses with licensing, business planning, small business loan resources, financial incentives and more.

Three workshops will be offered that begin at 7:15pm on how to write a business plan, how to finance your business, and how to use email marketing to boost your business.

“Business Works is a great resource for anybody interested in starting a business. Even established businesses can benefit from the workshops and by connecting with resources to grow an existing business” said Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Norma I. Reyes.

The evenings (June 17, 2010) keynote speaker will be a well known local Chicago business owner Marc Schulman, President  of The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, who will share his business success story.

At the event, entrepreneurs graduating from the Business Start-Up Program will be presented with certificates.  The Business Start-Up Certificate Program, offered by BACP and City Colleges of Chicago, is a free program for entrepreneurs that offers a curriculum of classes that cover all the basics of starting or Growing a Business. Classes are held at City Hall and are offered twice a week.

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection encourages and supports entrepreneurial growth throughout Chicago by offering the Business Works seminars in various parts of the city and other programs that provide businesses with resources to grow and succeed.

Hours: Every Saturday from 12 – 2 pm
Location: 6525 N. Clark Street
Telephone:

The Lincoln Foundation, located at 6525 N. Clark Street, celebrated the opening of its food pantry on May 1st. Alderman O’Connor was on hand to tour the facility and also had the honor of being apart of the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The recently opened food pantry is the first non-denominational pantry opened in East Rogers Park in 20 years. The pantry is currently servicing approximately 550 people per month, and the only requirement to receive food is a signature at time of pick up.

“Chicago has set many goals in order to be the greenest city in the nation,” said Mayor Daley during a press conference at the City’s permanent Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Center, 1150 North Branch. “We need residents to get involved. We need people to adopt more environmentally friendly lifestyles, and recycling is a great way to start.”

The Neighborhood Paper Drive officially begins June 5, 2010 and will last approximately two weeks.

Twenty-four organizations have signed up for the competition that will be encouraging residents to drop-off mixed paper, newspapers/magazines or office paper at designated locations.

At the end of the two weeks, the City’s recycling partners will take the paper to area recycling facilities.

In addition to any revenues from the recyclables, cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 will be awarded to the organizations that collect the most of each paper type.

The paper drive recycling partners include Allied Waste/Republic Services, Inc., FutureMark Paper Company, Paper Retriever, Recycling Services Inc., and Waste Management, Inc.

The paper drive was first announced on Earth Day, and the City is working with local agencies in hopes of hosting future competitions. At the press conference, Mayor Daley also announced that the City of Chicago has partnered with Computers for Schools, a program by Rebuilders and Recyclers that refurbishes electronic equipment for students and others in need.

“Through this partnership we hope to keep computers out of landfills and put them into the hands of our school children.This is not only a green initiative, but also helps us bridge the digital divide,” added Daley.

Residents in seven neighborhoods throughout the city will receive notices from Computer for Schools regarding pick-up dates and times.

To participate in the effort, residents are asked to leave their old computers and electronic equipment outside their homes. A truck provided by Computer for Schools will drive through the neighborhood collecting the the equipment, similar to other non-for-profit collection drives. Pick-ups will take place between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the neighborhood’s scheduled day.

Previous pick-ups have taken place in the 39th, 35th, and 1st Wards with the remaining dates and wards to include:

• June 5, 2010 – 19th Ward
• June 12, 2010 – 23rd Ward
• June 19, 2010 – 40th Ward
• June 26, 2010 – 47st Ward
• July 1, 2010 – 41st Ward

In addition to computers, the electronics that will be accepted include: TVs, DVD Players, VCR’s, PDA’s, MP3 Players, Video Equipment, & Mobile Phones

“When we make modern computer and Internet technology available across Chicago, we are improving education, creating a more modern workforce, helping small business and creating hope and opportunity for every Chicagoan,” said Mayor Daley.

Except for construction and demolition debris, paper is the largest component of the city’s waste stream at 12% by weight. Over 300,000 tons of paper are available for diversion but are being land filled annually. By recycling this material, the city can make serious gains towards the Chicago Climate Action Plan goal of reducing 0.84 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The Mayor also reminded residents that they can drop off off household cleaners, oil-based paints, solvents, cell phones, compact fluorescent light bulbs, computers and related equipment at the Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Center for safe disposal and recycling.The Waste Characterization Study and the Waste Diversion Study are available online at www.chicagorecycles.org.

For more information on Neighborhood Paper Drives, or Electronic Collection Days, please visit www.chicagorecycles.org or call the Chicago Department of Environment at 312-744-7606.

For many years, the Avenue of Flags has been a tradition at Rosehill Cemetery during Memorial Day Weekend.

The flags have been donated by famiily and friends of departed veterans. These flags lined the path of the parade route which proceeded to the Veterans’ Memorial Rose Garden. The somber event included a number of military rituals such as roll call of the honored dead who lost their lives this year; the folding and presentation of the flag; and a 21 gun salute followed by taps.

A special thanks to our Troops serving around and their families.