Dear Friends, 

The snow accumulation was reported as 12 - 13 inches.  Thank you to everyone who  made the effort and cleared their sidewalks.  The vast majority of you have and it is greatly appreciated.  By late Wednesday, only two sidestreets in the ward had not been plowed and those were addressed first thing this morning. 

A reminder, my office will be closed on Friday, February 12 and Monday, February 15 for Lincoln's Birthday and Presidents' Day.  As part of the budget, these are non-paid furlough days.  There will be garbage collection on both days. 

Enjoy the week-end.

Vi

  Upcoming Events

Thursday, February 11th - 6:30PM:  Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum presents Gary Hirshberg, President and CEO of Stoneyfield Farm.  Organic yogurt mogul Gary Hirshberg claims climate change offers businesses the biggest economic opportunity of the century.  Hear how being green can be good for the bottom line as well as the planet.  6:30 - 7:30/ Lecture; 7:30 - 8:30/Book signing.  Free parking is available directly across from the Museum in the Diversey Harbor lot.

Friday, February 12th - 6PM:  The Birth of Coffee opens at the Nature Museum with an Opening Reception.  This compelling photography exhibition sheds lights on the complexity of our global food system by putting visitors in touch with the origins of coffee.  Wine and cheese will be served.  The program is free but reservations are preferred.  Please call 773/755-5108 to confirm. 

Saturday, February 13th, 8AM:  Green City Market:  Indoor Market The theme for this market is Meat  Potatoes.  Chef demos at the winter market require reservations visit theirwebsite for additional information.

Monday, February 15th - 9AM  1PM:  The Lincoln Park Zoo presents Wildlife Photography for Kids.  If you're still looking for activities this Presidents' Day, the LP Zoo offers this wildlife photography course for kids in grades 4 - 8.  This fun half -day course will be offered twice (9AM - 12PM and 1PM - 4PM) and is designed for this age group.  Participation requires a digital camera (not provided).  $30; $25/zoo members.  Call 312-742-2056  for additional information or to register.

Monday, February 22nd - 7PM:  Residents of North Township, south of Fullerton are encouraged to attend a property tax appeal session with Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan at the DePaul Student Center, 2250 N Sheffield, Room 120B. 

Monday, February 22nd - 5:30PM:  The Park West Community Association hosts a cocktail party at Basil Leaf, 2465 N Clark.  Free beer, wine  buffet. $20/members and $25/non-members.

Tuesday, February 23rd - 10AM - 4PM:  43rd Ward Blood Drive Alderman Daley teams up with LifeSource to offer a convenient donor experience.  The Donor Coach will be located on Burling, outside of the ward office at 735 W Wrightwood.  Eighty percent of the population will need donated blood in its lifetime.  Help fulfill the need and you can help save up to three lives.

Wednesday, February 24th - 2PM - 7PM:  Residents of North Township who were not able to attend Monday's property tax appeal meeting can file an appeal at my office between 2PM and 7PM.  Taxpayer assistance staff will be on hand to help. CAPS Beat Meetings

Wednesday, 2-17 7:00PM:  Beat 1811/13 at St. Michael's, 1711 N Cleveland for 43rd Ward residents (1811) west of Sheffield between Armitage and Fullerton and (1813) for the area between Armitage and North from Sheffield to Sedgwick. 

Are you interested in law and order?  The 18th District Police will host a Court Advocacy Training on Tuesday, February 9th from 6PM to 7:30PM.  Learn about supporting victims and letting court officers understand the community's interest.  Light refreshments will be served. 
RSVP at 312/742-5778.   

  News Around the Ward / Property Tax News 

North Township property owners (south of Fullerton) have received reassessment notices from the Cook County Assessor. 

Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan and his staff will provide assistance in filing a property tax appeal to residents of North Township on Monday, February 22 beginning at 7PM at the DePaul Student Center, 2250 N Sheffield, Room 120B.                               

If you are unable to attend the meeting at DePaul, staff from the City of Chicago Taxpayers Assistance Center will be at my office (735 W Wrightwood) on Wednesday, February 24th from 2PM - 7PM to help individuals file an appeal of their property tax.

The Board of Review will provide another opportunity after the Assessor's appeal process is closed.  That meeting will be scheduled as soon as the window opens on that process.  Property owners north of Fullerton can submit an appeal for the Board of Review in my office through February 19.

I encourage all homeowners to appeal their taxes to both the Assessor and the Board of Review.  Your taxes can only be lowered by filing and one does not disqualify the other.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.

If you have not already done so, I recommend that all property owners who qualify should take advantage of the City's Property Tax Relief Program. The application is available here.

Francis W. Parker Class of 2008

Graduates returned to the school recently to present the class gift - an honorary street sign in the school's Circle Drive.  In the spirit of community, the class also presented a plaque to each school principal in the 43rd Ward.  The plaques honor the history and namesake for each of the schools.    

Elana Schulman, President of the Class of 2008, led the program, confirmed copy and ensured the fabrication of the plaques.  The gift recognizes Colonel Parker as a leading American educator and continues the students' tradition of community involvement. 

Thank you for your gift to all of our schools!  

 Infrastructure Requests

A review of the ward is under way to determine where to allocate menu funds in 2010.  In addition to repaving streets, these funds can be used for new lighting, to repair curbs and gutters and fund improvements to city owned property.  Have you noticed a specific item that needs to be addressed? 

Items that are typically funded through the "menu" program include street/alley resurfacing, curb/gutter repair, park improvements, new/upgraded lighting, light pole painting, new/upgraded traffic signals and security cameras.  I have also used these funds for the summer trolleys, escalators at the Fullerton CTA Station and sidewalk replacement.

I look forward to hearing your suggestions.  I cannot guarantee you that every request will be funded this year.  Each request  will be reviewed  and the Department of Transportation will make the final decision.  I will keep you advised as more information becomes available.

 LP High School

LP High School is answering the call to "go green" by competing in a solar panel installation contest sponsored by Climate Cycle, a Chicago-based nonprofit.  In addition to developing ecologically important curriculum, LPHS has set a fundraising goal of $5,000 to enable their students to participate in Climate Cycle's spring bike-a-thon.  

The LPHS Climate Cycle Task force will be hosting an online Silent Auction and needs your assistance to "stock the shelves."  Specifically, they are collecting items in the $50 - $200 value range.  They hope to get a variety of gift certificates from stores, restaurants, salons/spas, cooking classes or tickets to sporting events, theater performances or travel related items such as hotel stays or airline tickets.  If you or someone you know can offer a good or service for donation, contact the LPHS Climate Cycle Task Force's faculty sponsor, Debbie Gamson at 773/534-8130 x 24867 or email dngamson@cps.edu.

Help reduce carbon emissions at LPHS and encourage these young people with a donation today. 
 

St. Vincent de Paul Fleur de Lis 

For nearly a century, St. Vincent de Paul Center has provided quality child care and education to children of the working poor, offered seniors the necessary resources to live safely and independently, and equipped homeless men and women with tools to pursue a better life. 

Each year, the Center welcomes over 2,000 children, families, individuals and visitors.  In addition to caring for over 400 children, the Center coordinates friendly visits to isolated and homebound seniors.

The Fleur de Lis Ball is their only major annual fundraising event to sustain the Center's tradition of compassionate service to the community.  The 16th Annual Fleur de Lis Ball takes place at the Chicago Hilton  Towers on Saturday, February 27, 2010.  Individual tickets are $300 and tables of 10 start at $3,000.  Sponsorship activities are available.  For more information contact Julie Kittle at 312/278-4275.