Announcements 2006
RVN Announcements - December 7
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
Yes, it’s a bit chilly outside right now, but it looks like the weather is going to warm up this weekend – Just in time for the 5th annual Winterfest! Read on for details on this annual event and other important information.
Winterfest is in the Works!
For those of you who haven’t yet had a chance to check the Events Calendar at www.RoscoeVillage.org, here are the details on this year’s Winterfest taking place on Sunday, December 10 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. Roscoe St. will be closed between Damen and Oakley and shops and restaurants throughout all the streets of Roscoe Village will have special events and activities. The residents and businesses have really pulled out all the stops and this year’s celebration will be fantastic! Featured activities include:
A horse-drawn sleigh will be on Roscoe Street from Seeley to Oakley
A trolley will be available from 2:00-6:00pm to help you visit all the Winterfest Holiday Stops!
Carolers from the Chicago Children's Choir and the Entertainment Project will be strolling Roscoe Village from 2:00pm-4:00pm
Tree Lighting @2:00pm with Alderman Matlak at Piazza Bella (2116 W. Roscoe)
Visit Santa Claus @ 2213 W. Roscoe and have your picture taken!
And these shops will offer the following special attractions:
Starbucks on Roscoe (2025 W. Roscoe): Gingerbread decorating 2:30pm-4:30pm
Rudy's Bakery (2038 W. Roscoe): Holiday cookie decorating 3-5pm
La Mora (2132 W. Roscoe): Musical Celebration with Mary Macaroni! 2-6pm (A show every 15-20 min)
Original Expressions for Kids (2236 W. Roscoe): Frosty the Snowman! 2-5pm
Original Expressions on Roscoe (2156 W. Roscoe): Hourly drawings and giveaways!
Mulligan's Public House(2000 W. Roscoe): Holiday Libations All day!
Kitsch'n on Roscoe (2005 W. Roscoe): Open until 7:00pm Sunday night offering free ice cream for the kids and a complimentary 'spiked' coffee or cocoa for the adults with dinner.
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar: Will host complimentary wine and artisan cheeses, plus light hors d'oeuvres at Glam To Go (2002 W. Roscoe)
Little Threads (2033 W. Roscoe): Balloon twister and more
Musical Magic (2255 W. Roscoe): Make & Shake Holiday Maracas 3-6pm
MoJoe's Cafe (2256 W. Roscoe): Alfonso Ponticelli & Friends (jazz quartet) 3-5pm
Village Tap (2055 W. Roscoe): Free Hot Chocolate 2-6pm
Suckers Candy (3256 N. Damen): Stop by to decorate "Lauren" the Penguin 3-5pm
Four Treys (3333 N. Damen): Holiday Libations all day
Slim and Tone (2044 W. Belmont): Candied pears & apples + Candy Cane cookies 2-5pm
Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont): Free PB&J, hot dogs, and juice boxes! 3-5pm
Leonie's Paper & Gifts (2129 W. Belmont): Face painting & kid games, hot chocolate, cider 2:30-5pm
Of Mutts and Men (2149 W. Belmont): Murdock (the dog) & Company perform holiday tricks! 5pm-5:45pm
Starbucks on Belmont (2159 W. Belmont): Ornament decorating 3-5pm
Jeweled Souls (2257 W. Belmont): Holiday danishes and cider 2-6pm
A complete list of activities is available now at area merchants. Winterfest is co-sponsored by RVN and the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.
TRAC Property Tax Update
As you may be aware, the 7% cap on increases in the assessed values of residential property is set to expire. During the last regular session in Springfield, legislation to extend the cap passed the Senate, but it did not get the necessary number of votes to pass the House. Representatives worked very hard to pass this legislation but it fell short of the 3/5 majority constitutionally required during the fall veto session. However, it did receive a majority of votes, which is all that is required for passage in January. After the winter break another vote will be taken. We will keep you posted.
Children's Toy Drive in Roscoe Village!
Please consider donating to the Holiday Toy Drive to benefit Chicago Children's Advocacy Center (dedicated to changing the child abuse system). You may drop off new toys at Chicago United Mortgage (2144 W. Roscoe). All toys will be picked up on Monday, December 18 for distribution to the center's children. ). If you have any questions please call (773) 868-9500. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Progress on New Business at Bell and Roscoe
The zoning change for Lush (a wine store owned by Twisted Spoke) finally went through last month. Regular readers of our announcements will recall that the owners had originally requested C zoning for the property, but after a community meeting on the matter and dialogue with RVN and the Alderman, they agreed to move forward with more typical B zoning with a special use permit. They have begun work on the interior and are hoping to open as soon as possible.
Musical Magic Features Special Events
Join Musical Magic in December for holiday-themed special events: "HO HO Holiday Tunes & Bubbles Dance Party" on Saturday, December 9 from 4:00 - 5:00pm.and "Pajama Jam" on Tuesday, December 12 from 6:30 - 7:30pm. The details and pricing information for these events is available on the Musical Magic website at www.musicalmagic.net."
RVN Announcements - October 11
RVN Membership Meeting Tonight
The next membership meeting for Roscoe Village Neighbors will take place tonight, Wednesday, October 11 at 7:30pm at the Lincoln Belmont Library (1659 W. Melrose). The Board will provide updates on upcoming events, review candidate applications for the Board vacancies, and discuss the community meeting on October 19. All interested parties are welcome to attend.
Next Welcome Reception at Frasca
Have you moved into Roscoe Village in the last 12 months or do you know someone who has? All new neighbors are invited to a complimentary reception hosted by RVN at Frasca (Roscoe & Paulina) on Thursday, November 9 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. The management of Frasca has generously agreed to close the restaurant during the event, so we will have the entire place to ourselves! At the reception, new residents will hear from RVN Board members, enjoy excellent food and beverages from Frasca and meet other neighbors. There will also be a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses. RSVP by going to www.RoscoeVillage.org and clicking on the New Residents tab. See you there and welcome!
Charity Pub Crawl Scheduled
The next RVN charity pub crawl will take place on Saturday, November 11, beginning, as usual, at Blackrock at 1:30pm. For a modest $20, participants receive an official pub crawl t-shirt, a free lunch buffet from Blackrock and drink specials throughout the day. All proceeds benefit the hot meal program at the Common Pantry on Damen. March Madness will be over -- come spend your Saturday with friends and neighbors for a great cause. RSVP to info@RoscoeVillage.org with the number of people in your party to ensure adequate supplies of t-shirts and food. Thank you!
Twilight Hour Shopping Eve
Are you ready to get a head start on holiday shopping? Or maybe you just haven't had the opportunity to check out some of the new stores that have recently opened on Belmont and Roscoe. In either case, mark your calendar for Thursday, October 19 - an evening of after hours shopping and specials in Roscoe Village from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.
Halloween Volunteers Needed
RVN’s Member Programs Committee is looking for 10 volunteers to help decorate Audubon School, serve food and drinks and help the teachers with Halloween activities at the RVN Halloween Pizza Party on Saturday, October 28. The time commitment would be from 2:00pm - 5:30pm or a portion of that time frame. To sign up, go to www.RoscoeVillage.org and click on the “Get Involved” tab or reply to this email.
Pumpkin Painting
Speaking of Halloween, Sacred Art (2040 W. Roscoe) will host a pumpkin painting workshop on Sunday, October 15 from 12:00pm-3:00pm. The workshop is open to adults and children of all ages and will be conducted by in store artist Linda Pacel. Bring your own pumpkin and Linda will assist in making your holiday pumpkin the best on the block. $10 fee includes: hot apple cider, snacks, supplies, painting tips/tutorial, and apple bobbing (buy your pumpkin that day at Roscoe Blooms just 3 doors down!).
Grand Opening
On Thursday, October 19, the same evening as the Twilight Shopping, Original Expressions will have their grand opening. Original Expressions (2152 W. Roscoe) features beautiful stationery, cards, personalized invitations and other items.
WiFi at Lincoln Belmont Library
Did you know that the library offers free WiFi? Stop by to check it out.
Breast Cancer Awareness
During the month of October, Collection Privee (3201 N. Wolcott) will support breast cancer awareness and give 20% from each sale to support the Susan G Komen breast cancer foundation.
RVN Announcements - September 29
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
Sidewalk Replacement Update
Late last week, Alderman Matlak distributed a letter to residents of Roscoe Village which provided an update on the city's project to replace the sidewalks, curbs and gutters along Roscoe St. If you did not receive the letter, a copy is available at the RVN office. The city expects to complete the work by early November (sooner if the weather cooperates). Please note that because this is a city-managed project, all inquiries or requests should be directed to either Alderman Matlak's office or the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Patronize Roscoe St. Businesses During Construction
While the street improvements mentioned above are going on, the businesses along Roscoe St. do, of course, remain open. During this time, we ask the RVN membership to please try to patronize these businesses to help them weather the inconvenience of having access to their establishments compromised. We want our businesses to succeed so we appreciate your continuing support and thank you on their behalf.
Halloween Happenings
The weather is turning colder and Halloween is on the horizon; it’s time for the 8th annual RVN Halloween Parade and Pizza Party on Saturday, October 28. Due the popularity of this event, the parade will now begin at 2:30pm at the corner of Damen and Roscoe, and it will continue west down Roscoe to Hamilton. After the parade, participants can either trick-or-treat at Roscoe St. businesses or head over to Audubon School for a pizza party and a variety of craft activities. The pizza party is free to all RVN member families or $10 per family at the door. All children attending the party will also receive a goody bag. The party will go until 5:00pm.
In addition, for the first time, the Belmont Ave. businesses will be offering trick-or-treating on the “official” Halloween evening of October 31. Collect a few treats from your neighbors and then head over to Belmont where the businesses will also be hosting a window decorating contest. Who will win?
Would You Like to Serve on the RVN Board?
A reminder that if you are interested in filling one of the two vacancies on the Roscoe Village Neighbors Board, candidate questionnaires are due October 4. The questionnaires are available on the RVN website (www.RoscoeVillage.org) in the Library section. Alternately, questionnaires can be picked up at the RVN office at 2248 W. Belmont. Complete the questionnaire and return it to the RVN office or email it to info@RoscoeVillage.org. The Board hopes to fill these vacancies at the October 11 membership meeting.
Matching Gifts
As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Roscoe Village Neighbors may qualify for matching funds from your employer. If your employer has a matching program and you have made donations to Roscoe Village Neighbors, please consider applying for matching funds. Thank you!
RVN Announcements - September 17
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
Sidewalk Replacement to Begin This Week
In 2001, RVN presented a streetscape plan designed by RVN member, Wilkinson Blender Architecture, to the Roscoe Village community in a public meeting. The plan was overwhelmingly popular, but we lacked the funding to proceed with its execution. We are pleased to announce that work to complete a significant portion of the plan will begin Tuesday, September 18. The Chicago Department of Transportation will begin replacing the sidewalks, curbs, gutters and parkways on the south side of Roscoe between Hamilton and Damen and on the west side of Hoyne between Roscoe and the alley south of Roscoe. Work on the north side of Roscoe between Leavitt and Damen will follow when the work on the south side is complete. The project will also include the placement of permeable brick pavers in the parkways. These pavers will not only be aesthetic improvement over the current stamped concrete, they will also allow water to pass through to preserve and protect the large trees that grace Roscoe St. The entire project is expected to last four weeks depending on weather conditions.
RVN wishes to thank Alderman Ted Matlak for securing the $700,000 in the city budget that will pay for the main infrastructure work on the sidewalks, curbs and gutters. We also wish to thank State Representative John Fritchey who secured a $100,000 grant from the State of Illinois which, combined with $45,000 from RVN (proceeds from Retro on Roscoe 2005 and a donation from Tucker Family Financial Services) and another $30,000 from Alderman Matlak, will pay for the brick pavers in the parkways and some other elements of the project. We appreciate your patience as this major improvement to our neighborhood is completed and thank Wilkinson Blender and Nancy Coletto, former Chair of the RVN Parks, Gardens and Streets Committee for their work on this project.
Would You Like to Serve on the RVN Board?
There are currently two vacancies for Director-at-Large positions on the Roscoe Village Neighbors Board. Both of the vacancies are for terms that would expire in June of 2009. In keeping with the RVN By-Laws, the RVN Board can appoint individuals to the Board to fill vacancies. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please fill out the Candidate Questionnaire which can be found on the RVN website at www.RoscoeVillage.org in the Library section. Alternately, questionnaires can be picked up at the RVN office at 2248 W. Belmont. Complete the questionnaire and send it to RVN at 2248 W. Belmont, Suite 111, Chicago, IL 60618 or via email at info@RoscoeVillage.org. The deadline for returning the questionnaire is October 4 as the Board would like to fill these vacancies by the October 11 membership meeting.
Property Tax Appeals
Both Alderman Schulter and Alderman Matlak are hosting seminars to assist residents with property tax appeals. Alderman Schulter's property tax workshop on Tuesday, September 19 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Welles Park Community Room (2333 W. Sunnyside) will assist residents of Lakeview Township (47th Ward residents east of Western) with filing a property tax appeal. You can download a complaint form at http://www.cookcountyboardofreview.com/html/res_forms.html. Alderman Matlak is hosting a tax re-assessment on Wednesday September 20 at Wayne Wright Post (1258 West Wrightwood) from 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. This will be your opportunity to submit an appeal through the Cook County Board of Review regarding your tax assessment increase. The Board of Review will be present to answer your questions and to assist you in filling out the appeal forms. Remember to bring your real estate bill or your assessment with you.
An Award Winner in Our Midst
Last week, Roscoe Village resident Rick Briasco received word that his garden on Melrose had won the Chicago Tribune's Glorious Gardens contest for mid-sized gardens. Congratulations! That means that everyone who enjoyed the Roscoe Village Garden Walk this year had the chance to view not one, but three Chicago Tribune award winners. In addition to Mr. Briasco, both Mary Ann Siwek and Wes Gilbert, also garden walk participants, have won Tribune garden awards.
Kurt's Cleaners
The building that is currently occupied by Kurt's Cleaners on Roscoe has been sold and a Chinese Restaurant will be going in at that location. The owner of Kurt's, a longtime RVN member, is looking for a space to lease in the area so she can continue to serve her clientele. Given the support RVN residents have given the business over the years, we are hopeful that an RVN member might be aware of a suitable location. Those with possible leads can contact Kurt's Cleaners at (773) 935-2126.
Village Discount Parking Lot Reminder
As many of you know, the Village Discount owns the parking lot at the corner of Roscoe and Hoyne. Signs at the lot point out that the lot is for Village Discount shoppers only, but Roscoe Village Neighbors would like to make sure our members are aware that anyone who ignores the sign will have their car booted on the spot because Village Discount has hired someone to monitor the lot and its usage. The fee to have the boot removed is $110. Unfortunately, because the property is privately owned, it is, according to the City of Chicago, within their rights to do this. Please make sure that your friends and neighbors are aware of this policy. We would much rather see Roscoe Village businesses receive the $110 vs. a private towing company.
On a related note, at the request of RVN, sidewalk project that will begin this week will be extended around the corner on the west side of Hoyne between Roscoe and alley just south of Roscoe. This means that the grassy parkway adjacent to the Village Discount parking lot which is a magnet for paper and other trash will be replaced with the brick pavers.
RVN Announcements - September 14
Property Tax Reform Rally Today
RVN is working with TRAC (a non-profit coalition) to fight property tax increases. As you might know, the measure to extend the 7% cap was defeated and most of us here in Roscoe Village received 40 to 60% increases on the recent assessments. We are fighting this by showing our support for passing an extension of the 7% cap in the November session of the state legislature at a rally today, September 14 from 6:00pm - 7:15pm at the Humboldt Park boathouse. Humboldt Park is located between Division Street and North Avenue just east of Kedzie. The Rally theme is "Chicago Unite!" because now assessments are rising in all areas of the city. As this is TRAC's kick-off event, there will likely be strong media coverage. If the initiative fails, the tax increases will take effect immediately.
We are hoping for a strong showing from Roscoe Village! Please come to the rally and wear a neighborhood t-shirt (Retro shirts would be great) and to bring any homemade placards or signs with any message you want on it, such as "Save Our Homes" or XX% (the amount your assessment just went up). We suggest carpooling to the event with your neighbors to ease congestion. For more information on the rally, please call Kay Christ, RVN's TRAC liaison, at 773-525-5474.
Board Accepts Resignation
At the September RVN membership meeting, the Board formally accepted the resignation of Vice President David Brown who will shortly be moving from the neighborhood and therefore, per the RVN by-laws, will no longer be able to serve on the Board. David has been on the RVN Board for 10 years, most of these as an officer. He founded the Charity Pub Crawl which has been responsible for over $16,000 in donations to the Common Pantry. His enthusiasm, humor, humanitarianism and integrity will be greatly missed. On behalf of a grateful community, the Board of Directors thanks David and wishes him well. In keeping with RVN by-laws, the Board of Directors appointed Director-at-Large, Alison Kramme, to David's term as Vice President which expires in June, 2007. Alison's appointment leaves a vacancy which the Board will work diligently to fill. Best of luck to you, Howard and congratulations, Steve!
RVN Office Hours
The RVN office at 2248 W. Belmont will now be open to our membership twice a week; Mondays from 6:30pm - 7:30pm and Tuesdays from 11:00am - 12:30pm. During these hours, please feel free to stop by the office to pick up membership forms, brochures, newsletters or just to ask a question. You can also call the RVN office at (773) 329-5036 during these hours to speak to a Board member. If you are interested in volunteering to work a couple hours a month answering the phone, filing and/or handling simple office tasks, please email info@RoscoeVillage.org or call the new number.
RVN Announcements - July 13
It has been quite some time since our last announcement. Summer tends to be a slower time for RVN as the Board focuses its energy on preparations for Retro on Roscoe. There are, however, several other events of note including the sixth annual Roscoe Village Garden Walk. Read on for further details.
Sixth Annual Garden Walk This Weekend
Have you noticed more of your neighbors out tending to their gardens and landscaping? Final preparations are under way for the 6th annual Roscoe Village Garden Walk set for Sunday, July 16 from noon to 6:00pm. Nearly 50 gardens are registered for the walk and will be on display during the garden walk hours. Pick up a free program at Victory's Banner (Roscoe and Hoyne), read the garden descriptions and plot your course. A map showing all the gardens is also available online at www.RoscoeVillage.org -- just click on the "Garden Walk" tab on the left hand side. All entrants will also have signage and balloons to indicate their participation in the walk. In addition, Roscoe Village merchants are hosting a "Shop the Block" sidewalk sale on Sunday in conjunction with the neighborhood Garden Walk. Stop by in between garden viewings to check out the specials.
Retro on Roscoe Volunteers Needed
Here we go! This is the first of many (well, as many as necessary) requests we will be making for volunteers to work the entry gates at Retro on Roscoe on August 5 & 6 from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. As many of you know, the proceeds from Retro on Roscoe fund the vast majority of RVN's activities including the welcome receptions, "What's News in Roscoe Village", Education on Education seminars, park & street improvements, school donations, pub crawls, seasonal events and even this website. Retro on Roscoe simply would not be possible without the literally hundreds of residents who step up and help out by working a 2-hour shift the weekend of the festival. Volunteering is easy! Just go to www.RoscoeVillage.org and click on the "Retro on Roscoe" tab at the left. Then click on the "volunteer" link, and choose a 2-hour time frame on the day of your choice.
All volunteers will be invited to the Volunteer Appreciation Party on August 3 and treated to complimentary beverages and pizza. There will also be fantastic raffle prizes from local merchants. And, of course, all volunteers will receive the highly popular Retro on Roscoe t-shirt. Both the men's T-shirts and women's fitted tees have ringers and feature the distinctive Retro logo on the front. Images are available on the website via the “Library” tab. Thank you in advance for helping out!
Parking Reminder
As we do every year, we would like to issue the first of several reminders regarding parking during the weekend of Retro on Roscoe. Parking will be prohibited on Roscoe Street between Leavitt and Damen and on Hamilton, Hoyne and Seeley between Roscoe Street and the alleys to the north and south of Roscoe. The parking ban will be in effect from 11:00pm Friday, August 4 through 11:59pm Sunday, August 6. The City of Chicago will tow any vehicles on the venue during this time to a city lot ($160 fee to retrieve your vehicle). The parking ban information will appear in the upcoming edition of "What's News in Roscoe Village" which is distributed to every Roscoe Village household and the city will post notices on parking meters, trees, etc. shortly before the festival. Please make sure your friends and neighbors are aware of this temporary inconvenience so they do not have to go to the trouble and expense of retrieving their vehicle.
Fellger Park Concerts
It's that time of year again...come to Fellger Park (Belmont and Damen) on Thursday evenings beginning July 20 for family-friendly entertainment. All concerts begin at 6:30pm. The schedule includes:
July 20: Rosanne & the Musical Magic Band & Sunshine Crafts (sponsor TBD)
July 27: A to Z Entertainment, DJ (sponsored by Kitsch'n)
Aug 3: Mark Nichols Puppet Place Theatre (sponsor TBD)
Aug 10: Rob, The Rock and Roll Dad (sponsored by Roscoe Village Neighbors)
Come see "The Balloon Man"
Redmoon Theater, an Audubon School arts partner, invites the entire Roscoe Village community to their FREE Millennium Park performances of THE BALLOON MAN. The show mixes Redmoon spectacle, hard science, and "geek rock" in a show engineered for kids and adults alike. Featuring seven original songs by local rock band The Bitter Tears, a puppet show, three wild experiments, and the continually transforming Mobile Institute of Scientific Learning (MISL), THE BALLOON MAN combines Redmoon’s fantastical objects with catchy tunes and serious science in an unforgettable afternoon of helium, psychoanalysis, global warming, brain waves, and much, much more. Join Redmoon Theater at Millennium Park on:
Saturday, July 22 at 1pm and 4pm
Sunday, July 23 at 1pm and 4pm
Monday, July 24 at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 29 at 12pm and 4:30pm
Sunday, July 30 at 6:30pm
RVN Annual Board Election Results
At the 2006 RVN Election and Annual Membership Meeting on June 14 four Roscoe Village residents were elected to the Roscoe Village Neighbors Board of Directors. Beginning 3-year terms as Directors-at-Large are Michael Graham, Alison Kramme, Steve Miller and Brian O'Connell. Congratulations to everyone!
August Membership Meeting Cancelled
As the RVN Board of Directors will be spending and extensive amount of time preparing and managing Retro on Roscoe on August 5 & 6, the Membership Meeting scheduled for August 9 will be cancelled. The next Membership meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 13 at 7:30pm at the Lincoln Belmont Library.
RVN Announcements - July 26
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
Retro Volunteers Still Needed
Retro on Roscoe is only a few days away (August 5 & 6) and we are still about 60 volunteers short of what we need to make the festival a success. We're not panicking - yet - because we know there are many of you out there who intend to volunteer but just haven't gotten around to it. So, please go to www.RoscoeVillage.org and click on the "Retro on Roscoe" tab located on the left hand side of the page. In the top right corner of the Retro on Roscoe home page there is a link titled "Volunteer". Click on that and you will be taken directly to the online form where you can choose a specific 2-hour shift (or more!). Better yet, call a friend and ask them to volunteer with you. We'll keep sending emails until we've filled our volunteer quota, so sign up today!
Retro on Roscoe Details
Speaking of Retro on Roscoe, not only is it the main fundraiser for all the activities of Roscoe Village Neighbors, it is also a lot of fun. Go to the base of the home page at www.RoscoeVillage.org to find a link that will take you to the Retro on Roscoe home page with a complete lineup of activities and performances. The Family Area (Seeley & Roscoe) will be better than ever this year with a pottery wheel from Lill St. Studios, maraca-making with Musical Magic, Rhonda Holcomb Photography, banner art from Kinko's, face painting and balloon animals courtesy of Mary Macaroni, and a Jumping Jack not to mention the best Family Stage entertainment lineup in the city: Ralph's World, Justin Roberts, the Sharp Cookies, Weird Science and much more. Also, capitalizing on the great publicity Roscoe Village received via Rachael Ray's shows on the Food Network, the Damen stage will feature cooking demonstrations to start each day of the festival. And sangria will be available in front of Volo restaurant and wine bar. The variety and quality of the vendors selection are beyond compare. And don't forget the antique car show. There is truly something for everyone -- and all for a $5 donation to Roscoe Village Neighbors. See you there!
Fellger Park Concert Tonight
A to Z Entertainment, sponsored by Kitsch’n, will perform at Fellger Park (Damen & Belmont) tonight, July 27 at 6:30pm. Thanks to Friends of Fellger Park and the Chicago Park District for securing this family-friendly entertainment right here in Roscoe Village.
Police Alert
The Chicago Police Department is investigating an Emerging Armed Robbery Trend that is occurring in Area 3. The Robberies have occurred primarily between Waveland Ave. south to School St., and between Racine Ave. west to Ashland Ave, but one incident happened in the 3400 block of Hoyne. The majority of these incidents are occurring between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM.
A variety of offenders have been described by the victims; the offenders in two cases have been described as 2-3 Male, Hispanics in their early twenties, 5’-6’’ to 5’-10’’. The offenders in numerous cases have been described as Male, African Americans, 18-30 years of age, ranging in height from 5’-8’’ to 6’-0’’, with weights ranging from 150-200 lbs. A female African American, 30 year old, 5’-8’’, 170 lbs. has also been described in one of the cases.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Travel with a companion, if possible.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash of credit cards
• Do not wear valuable jewelry or carry expensive purses.
• Report any suspicious activity.
• Get involved by attending Beat Meetings.
• Call (312) 744-5574, Community Police Office, 19th District for information on future Beat Meetings.
Art Show July 28
Sacred Art Store in Roscoe Village is having their 3rd monthly art show reception on Friday, July 28 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Each show features 3 different artists of different mediums. Adult beverages are complimentary as well as the stimulating conversation with each artist. Included are samples from Abstract painter Christine Olson, Psychedelic photographer Bill Mead, and 3D image silkscreen printmaker Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff. The show will last all weekend for those who can't make the reception. In case you didn't know, Sacred Art exclusively sell local art of all mediums at moderate prices.
RVN Announcements - May 10
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
<b>May Monthly Meeting Canceled</b>
The RVN Monthly Membership meeting scheduled for this evening, May 10, at 7:30pm has been cancelled. Please join us on Wednesday, June 14 at the Lincoln Belmont Library (1659 W. Melrose) for our Annual Meeting and Election. State Representative John Fritchey will be our featured guest speaker.
<b>Candidate Questionnaires Due Today</b>
Speaking of the election, a reminder that today is the last day to file the candidate questionnaire if you intend to run for one of the four Director-at-Large positions that will be up for election at the June meeting. The questionnaire is available in the Library section of the RVN website at www.RoscoeVillage.org. Anyone wishing to file may do so via email to info@RoscoeVillage.org by 5:00pm May 10. Also note that, per the RVN By-Laws, annual dues for any new individual or institutional members eligible to vote at the annual meeting must have been paid in full at least 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting (May 15). Existing members may renew their membership by remitting their dues at the annual meeting prior to voting.
<b>Side Walk Construction</b>
Late last year, Alderman Ted Matlak (32nd ward) informed Roscoe Village Neighbors that he had secured funding in the City of Chicago's 2006 budget to replace all the sidewalks, parkways (area between the sidewalks and the curbs), curbs and gutters on Roscoe St. between Leavitt and Damen. We remain grateful to the Alderman for securing the funding for this project on behalf of Roscoe Village. At that time, we were told that the work was scheduled for March with hopes to complete it before the sidewalk cafes opened.
As sometimes happens, the original start date has been delayed. On Friday, April 28, Alderman Matlak's office told RVN that the contractors for the work had just surveyed the area between Leavitt and Damen and that the City hoped to finalize the contract during the week of May 1. The City's goal is to have the work completed during the month of May. RVN called the 32nd ward office mid-week in hopes of confirming a start date for the sidewalk improvements, but we have not received an update.
The main purpose, therefore, of this message is to make sure the businesses and residents of Roscoe Village are aware that work on this project could begin very shortly -- as soon as this week. As was the case with the similar improvements that were made to Roscoe St. between Western and Leavitt, it is likely that the work will first be done on one side of the street and then the other. If we do receive a specific date from the City or the Alderman's office we will notify our membership promptly.
RVN Announcements - March 22
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
<b>Charity Pub Crawl Fast Approaching</b>
The next RVN charity pub crawl will take place on Saturday, April 8 beginning, as usual, at Blackrock at 1:30pm. For a modest $20, participants receive an official pub crawl t-shirt, a free lunch buffet from Blackrock and drink specials throughout the day. All proceeds benefit the hot meal program at the Common Pantry on Damen. March Madness will be over -- come spend your Saturday with friends and neighbors for a great cause. RSVP to info@RoscoeVillage.org with the number of people in your party to ensure adequate supplies of t-shirts and food. Thank you!
<b>Zoning Walk Interest</b>
In the most recent newsletter, the RVN Zoning Committee introduced the concept of a "virtual zoning walk" slated for Wednesday, May 3. Zoning is an extremely complicated topic that has a profound effect on a neighborhood. Many of the characteristics of Roscoe Village that make it attractive and unique are tied closely to the Zoning Code and RVN's zoning principles (available on the RVN website). Because the subject is so complex and because it is so important, the RVN Zoning Committee is considering hosting a "virtual zoning walk" that would give residents a primer on the different types of zoning, the impact of zoning changes on neighbors and neighborhoods, the difference between upzoning and variances. The decision on whether or not to host this seminar will be based on your feedback. If you are interested in attending, please email Zoning@RoscoeVillage.org before March 25.
<b>Local Student and Teacher Receive Accolades</b>
RVN would like to recognize Xheni Basko, senior at Lane Technical High School, and Zio Perez, Jahn Preschool teacher, as the recipients of some prestigious awards. Xheni Basko will start college next fall with the help of the Lakeshore-Alsip Coca-Cola Bottling Company and The Coca-Cola Company. Basko and Candice Gant, senior at Northside College Prep, were selected as scholarship finalists from a field of more than 2,100 semifinalists by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation based on their academic excellence, school and community extracurricular activities. Basko and Gant are two of the 250 high school seniors selected nationwide to compete for a cash scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. On April 6, the students will join other finalists as they travel to Atlanta, the headquarters for The Coca-Cola Company, to compete for 50 four-year college scholarships of $20,000 and 200 four-year scholarships of $4,000. Over the four-day period, the finalists will interview with a National Selection Committee, tour the city, meet with former Coca-Cola Scholars and participate in a range of activities including a community service project.
Zio Perez, an amazing teacher in Jahn's tuition-based preschool, was recently awarded a Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence. Ms. Perez was nominated along with 800 other outstanding teachers throughout the Chicagoland area and was named one of 30 finalists in February. Last week, the winners were announced and Ms. Perez was one of them! We are fortunate to have such a wonderful educator in our neighborhood. Congratulations!
Spring Brunch Sells Out in 48 Hours
Due to the overwhelming interest in the event, the annual Spring Brunch is officially sold out for both the 9:00am and 11:00am seatings. If you are still hoping to go to the brunch, please email RVN to get your name on the waiting list. We usually have 1 or 2 cancellations in the week prior to the event. Thank you to everyone who registered and to Cindi Bish, coordinator extraordinaire, for managing the sign-up effortlessly.
<b>Roscoe Village Rendezvous</b>
As the Spring Brunch has become an anticipated rite of the season for local families, the Roscoe Village Rendezvous (May 6 at the Chicago Photography Center) has become the event that kicks off the RVN social calendar for adults. For only $50/person or $100/couple (not $90/couple as stated in our recent newsletter -- our apologies for the error) you can enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Monogramme Events, dinner from Blue Rooster Catering of The Kalish Group, open bar and an exciting silent and live auction. All proceeds will benefit our neighborhood public schools, Audubon and Jahn. Michelle Jolas, neighborhood resident and principal of Wildflower Design, has created some fantastic invitations for this year's Rendezvous. If you would like to get an invitation, please email info@RoscoeVillage.org.
<b>Lincoln Belmont Library Programs</b>
On Sunday, March 25, at 2:00pm the library will present "How Do I Get from Marching Band to Rock Band", a workshop for girls ages 8-18. Debbie Twomey, a veteran of local rock acts, will show girls how to use their school band experience to get to the rock and roll stage. Reservations are requested but not required by calling 312-742-0166.
Bouncing Babies, a story and rhyme program for infants who are not yet walking will take place on Thursdays, April 20 through May 25 @ 11:00am.
The following programs for adults will be offered during the month of April.
"Beginning Knitting with Sharon McGee", a four-week workshop will be offered on Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. All skill levels are welcome and registration is required.
"Poetry Reading and Workshop with Joanne Diaz" on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00pm.
"One Book, One Chicago Book Discussion" One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn on Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00am and Thursday, April 20 at 7:00pm.
"Arnie Bernstein, Chicago Author" on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00pm. Mr. Bernstein will discuss two of his books about films and film-making in Chicago. He is the author of Hollywood on Lake Michigan: 100 years of Chicago and the Movies and The Movies Are: Carl Sandburg's Film Reviews and Essays, 1920-1928.
<b>Renewals Due March 31</b>
Thank you to the over 650 individuals and businesses who have already renewed their memberships in RVN. We appreciate your support. As you know if you are receiving this message, our email announcements are one of the benefits of memberships in RVN. On April 1, we will be updating our email distribution list to include only members that paid or renewed their RVN memberships between October 1, 2005 and March 31, 2006. If you would like to continue to receive the latest information on the events, activities and issues of Roscoe Village, please renew your membership today by clicking the "Join RVN" tab at www.RoscoeVillage.org or mailing in the renewal notice you should have received in February. Thank you!
RVN Announcements - March 8
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
The next issue of "What's News in Roscoe Village", RVN's newsletter, will be distributed this coming weekend. As a courtesy, we also email a copy of the newsletter to our members and you will find it attached to this message. Many of the items in this announcement are covered in more detail in the newsletter.
<b>We're Moving!</b>
For many years, RVN has relied on the generosity of Wilkinson Blender Architecture, which has graciously allowed us use of their mailing address. During March, RVN will be moving into a space of its own at 2248 W. Belmont behind the Mailbox Plus location. The RVN office will establish regular business hours during which members can visit to pick up information, drop off dues, volunteer to answer phones, etc. At times when the RVN office is closed, Mailbox Plus has agreed to act as a "virtual office" for the organization. We are very excited about this new chapter in RVN's history and thank Wilkinson Blender Architecture for their indulgence over the past several years.
<b>Membership Meeting Tonight</b>
The regular monthly RVN Membership Meeting takes place this evening, March 8 at 7:30pm. We will, for the second month in a row, hold the meeting at the Four Treys as the Lincoln Belmont Library finishes up their film series. Please join us for updates on street improvements, education and membership events like the Spring Brunch, Charity Pub Crawl and Roscoe Village Rendezvous.
<b>Spring Brunch April 2</b>
The extremely popular 7th annual Spring Brunch will take place on Sunday, April 2 at Riverview Tavern with two seatings; one at 9:00am and another at 11:00am. As always, there will be a full buffet breakfast, raffle prizes, goody bags for the kids and a visit from the Easter Bunny all for only $20 per family (plus $5 per adult if more than 2 adults in the party). Reservations will only be accepted from RVN members (new or renewed between October 1, 2005 and March 31, 2006) on or after March 19 at 12:01am. Anything received prior to this time will not be valid. Interested parties can make reservations via email at info@RoscoeVillage.org or by dialing (773) 296-6115.
<b>Pub Crawl April 8</b>
The next Charity Pub Crawl benefitting the hot meal program at the Common Pantry will take place on Saturday, April 8 beginning at Blackrock Tavern at 1:30pm. March Madness will be over, Spring will have arrived -- we can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon with friends benefitting a worthy cause. For a fee of $20, all those participating will receive a t-shirt and a lunch buffet from Blackrock (they are now serving food!), and drink specials from neighborhood pubs throughout the day. Please RSVP for this popular event soon so we are sure we have enough food and t-shirts. Thank you!
<b>LSC applications due March 17</b>
If you have been considering volunteering for your public school's Local School Council, don't delay. Applications, which are available in the school office, are due Friday, March 17 at 3:00pm. If you live in the attendance area of a school, but do not have a child enrolled there, you are eligible to run as a community representative. If your child already attends the school, you may run as a parent representative. There are few more rewarding ways to serve your community...
<b>...except, of course, Volunteering for RVN</b>
With our new office about to open, the number of volunteer opportunities within RVN will be increasing. In the meantime, however, if you would like to find out more about how to become more involved, check out the newest area of our website, the "Committees" tab on the left hand side of our home page (note that this feature will be activated in the next day or two). Here you will find a partial list of RVN committees, the average time commitment required and the committee's objective. Joining an RVN committee is a great way to meet other neighbors and to give back to your community at the same time. If you are more interested in a temporary volunteer opportunity, check the "Get Involved" section of the website where short-term, event-specific volunteer work is listed. Thanks in advance for helping out!
<b>Update on Robberies</b>
Between Jan. 21 and Feb. 3, 2006 two to four male offenders approached victims on the street and demanded their wallets and bank card PINs. They were working in the area from Lakeview to Damen between Diversey and Lawrence. The victims were usually male. A community alert was issued in mid-February which many of you may have seen posted around the neighborhood. Since that time, there have been no further reports of attacks, but the police department, who we contacted today, still urge caution and ask citizens to maintain awareness of their surroundings. The offenders have fled on foot but were also seen fleeing in a white pontiac. As always, call 911 if you see any suspicious activity or people.
<b>From the Lincoln Belmont Library</b>
Second Saturday story times will be held on March 11 and April 8 with Baby/Rhyme Time for infants and toddlers at 10:00am followed by Get Wild About Reading for families (preschool through 2nd grade) at 11:00am. This one morning program is not overcrowded:
<b>A Request for Dog Owners</b>
As the temperature has slowly begun to rise, so too have the number of reports of dog droppings on playgrounds and sidewalks. If the situation does not improve, the school playgrounds may have to close their gates at 5:00pm daily and on weekends. The many children of our neighborhood thank you for your cooperation.
<b>Property Tax Update</b>
The Illinois Senate just passed legislation extending tax relief for homeowners. Senate Bill 2691, co-sponsored by our State Senator John Cullerton, caps increases in the assessed values of homes at 7%. Also the legislation raises the “cap on the cap” from $20,000 to $60,000 to give additional assistance those who need it most. Now this vital legislation moves to the House and then onto the Governor. RVN, along with many other neighborhood organizations, participated in a campaign to help get this legislation past the first step. Thank you to everyone who made calls and wrote letters on this important issue. Your grassroots efforts kept the spotlight on this legislation which led to its passage.
RVN Announcements - February 8
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
February/March Membership Meetings
Please join the RVN Board on Wednesday, February 8 for the monthly Membership meeting at the Four Treys (3333 N. Damen) in the back/party room. The meeting will begin at 7:30pm and topics will include an update on street improvements, a preview of the upcoming Roscoe Village Rendezvous, and a general discussion of the RVN zoning principles.
Renewals Due
If you have put off renewing your RVN membership or were just tired of waiting for the supplemental 2-cent stamps to become available, don't despair. A follow-up mailing to members who have not yet renewed will be sent this week and will include a 39-cent postage-paid envelope. To remain a member in good standing of RVN, simply return the membership form with your annual dues ($10 per individual, $4 per senior or $15 per business) to RVN by the end of February. On March 1, we will begin adjusting our database to reflect the current paid membership and non-members will no longer receive the RVN email announcements or be eligible for members-only events like the Spring Brunch. So, don't delay -- renew today!
Rachael Ray says Roscoe Village and Retro Rock!
The dates for Retro on Roscoe, our annual street festival and fundraiser to support neighborhood initiatives, events and institutions, are set. Retro will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 5 & 6, 2006. Over the last several years, Retro on Roscoe has become one of the premiere festivals in the city and just last week, it was featured on Rachael Ray's cooking show on the Food Network. She filmed a 5-minute segment here last year and the show will air at 11:00am on February 20 -- tell your friends to tune in!). Watch our next newsletter for details on how you can volunteer to work at the festival -- and get one of those great t-shirts everyone was talking about last year.
DeVry University Open house
DeVry University (3300 N. Campbell) will host an Open House on Saturday February 11 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The event will feature campus tours, the opportunity to meet with program Deans and admissions staff and sessions on: Web design, Electronics , Financial Aid and DeVry's Programs. There will also be drawings for tshirts and a thumb drive.
Brown Line Update
The Chicago Transit Authority's postponed January 17th community meeting for area residents to discuss the planned renovations with the contractor for the Kimball, Kedzie, Francisco, Rockwell and Western Brown Line Stations has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 9 at Sulzer Regional Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the Lerner Auditorium from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
A Few Good Villagers
Every year, the RVN Board holds elections during which one-third of the Board members are elected to three-year terms. If you feel strongly about our neighborhood and would like to put your skills to use to make it an even better place, please consider running for the Board of Directors in June. You must be a member in good standing and live within the Roscoe Village Neighbors boundaries to run for election to the Board. A candidate questionnaire is available on the RVN website at www.RoscoeVillage.org. Please complete it and return it to info@RoscoeVillage.org if you would like to become a candidate in the June elections.
LSC Community Rep Opening
There is an immediate opening for a community representative on the Audubon Local School Council. The individual choosing to serve in this volunteer position must be 18 years of age, live in the Audubon attendance area and not have a child currently enrolled in the school. Because this individual would be filling a vacancy, their term would end in June of this year unless they decide to run for election to the LSC in April. If you are interested in this short-term, but important opportunity, please stop by the school office for an application.
RVN Announcements - January 10
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
As the year begins, there are several meetings scheduled for the month of January that will be of interest to many of you.
To begin with RVN's monthly Board and membership meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 11 at 7:30pm at the Lincoln Belmont Library. The meetings will be taking on a new format for 2006 to allow more time for Board discussion of important topics. This month, after an opening opportunity for public comment and abbreviated officer and committee reports, the Board will discuss 4 issues including the Zoning and Land Use Committee's statement on RT3.5 zoning in Roscoe Village and the proposed zoning change at 2232-38 W. Roscoe. All members of RVN are welcome to attend.
Speaking of the proposed zoning change at 2232-38 W. Roscoe, Alderman Matlak will be hosting a community meeting on the subject on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00pm at the 19th district Police Station at Belmont and Western. Details are shown in the attached flyer from the Alderman‘s office. While the RVN Zoning and Land Use Committee does not object to the planned use for the property, it does have some concerns about the specifics of the proposed zoning change and would like to suggest some alternative solutions.
The Chicago Transit Authority is holding a community meeting for area residents to discuss the planned renovations with the contractor for the Kimball, Kedzie, Francisco, Rockwell and Western Brown Line Stations. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 17 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Swedish Covenant Hospital Anderson Pavilion (2751 W. Winona).
And finally, a thank you to the literally hundreds of you who have already renewed your RVN membership. If you haven't yet sent your renewal in, please remember that the reply envelope will now require additional postage.
RVN Announcements - January 3
Dear Fellow Members of Roscoe Village Neighbors:
Happy New Year! We look forward to another successful year full of events and activities designed to continue to grow and strengthen the bonds between the residents and businesses of this wonderful community.
Of course, none of what we do would be possible without you, the members of Roscoe Village Neighbors. So, please renew your membership today. Your renewal notice included a stamped return envelope, but be forewarned; if you don't get your renewal in the mail by January 6, 2006, additional postage (2 cents) will be necessary to cover the rate increase that goes into effect that day. If you didn't receive a membership renewal in the mail in late December and you joined RVN prior to October 1, 2005, please renew online by going to www.RoscoeVillage.org and clicking on "Join RVN".
For those of you who might be dismantling Christmas trees this week, consider bringing them to a City of Chicago recycling location. On Saturday, January 7 from 9:00am - 2:00pm, you can take your tree to a number of locations citywide; the nearest to Roscoe Village is DeVry Institute (3401 N. Rockwell). Other locations are available at the City of Chicago website. In exchange for delivering your tree to one of these locations, you will receive a year's supply of recycling bags (while supplies last), a bag of mulch and a tree sapling. Residents who don't have a tree can participate in the event by bringing in a large bag of clean recyclables such as used metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers, or paper.
The Chicago Moving Company is offering a new slate of classes at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse (Barry and Hoyne) beginning this week. The classes are: On Wednesdays, January 4 - May 29; Psychocalisthenics from 5:00pm - 6:00pm and Fundamentals of Dance from 6:00pm - 7:30 pm. On Fridays, January 6 - May 26; Intermediate Dance from 10:00am -11:30 am and Qi Gong from 11:45 am -12:45 pm. On Tuesdays/Thursdays, January 24 - May 26 Cindy Brandle teaches Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance from 10:15am - 11:45 am. The cost is $10/class ($9 for professionals) or $80 for 10 class card. All classes take place at CMC's studio at the Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater on the second floor. For more info including class descriptions, check their website at www.chicagomovingcompany.org or phone CMC at 773.880.5402.