Dear Neighbor,

With winter continuing to bear down on us, Follow Me on Friday to Devon Avenue to visit two unique businesses––one that just recently opened and one that is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Follow Me to Audio Archaeology, 1324 W. Devon, and Pho Spicier Thai Cuisine, 1320 W. Devon, this Friday, February 22nd, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Both establishments are located just east of Wayne Avenue.

The gathering starts at Pho Spicier Thai Cuisine, which opened just a few months ago, replacing the Thai Spice Restaurant. Restaurant manager Mally Zeed will offer a variety of Thai dishes to sample, including rice, noodles and curry dishes. Cool down the spice with complementary beverages of beer, wine or soft drinks served by my staff. [Read more…]

UPDATE: Friday, February 15, 3:56 p.m.
The waiting list for this building has reached capacity and has been closed by the landlord.

Dear Neighbor,

I am pleased to announce that Clark-Estes Apartments, the 54-unit affordable housing development currently under construction at the southeast corner of Clark and Estes, will open its waiting list this Friday, February 15th, at 12:01 a.m.

I was proud to play a role in bringing this much-needed affordable housing development to our neighborhood. [Read more…]

Dear Neighbor,

Please join your neighbors and me as we officially dedicate “Quantum Dee,” the new pyramid-like sculpture that stands at Rogers Park’s northern entry point in Juneway Beach Park (Sheridan and the Lake, just south of Evanston).

The dedication will be held at the base of the sculpture this Saturday, February 16th, 10:00 a.m. Sculpture artist Davis McCarty and Michael Dimitroff, Manager of Arts for the Chicago Park District, will join us for the dedication.

The dedication originally was scheduled for January, but had to be postponed due to inclement weather. [Read more…]

Dear Neighbor,

The 24th Police District is hosting an Open House for community residents to get a “first-look”and explanation of our new Strategic Decision Support Center (SDSC).

Visit the 24th District Police Station, 6464 N. Clark,  TOMORROW (Sunday, February 10th),  and attend one of three different viewing sessions–11:00 a.m., 12:00 noon or 1:00 p.m. Supervisors will be on hand to provide an explanation of how the SDSC room works to promote public safety in our neighborhood.

No photography or video will be allowed.  [Read more…]

Dear Neighbor,

With Valentine’s Day just a week away, Follow Me on Friday to Nibbles and Nosh (6981 N. Sheridan) for some lite bites, sweet pastries and delicious hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Nibbles and Nosh usually closes at 4:00 p.m., but they are staying open late this Friday, February 8th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., to host our gathering. [Read more…]

Dear Neighbor,

Please join me this Saturday, February 9th, 10:00 a.m., for my 29th Annual FREE VALENTINE’S DAY FILM EXTRAVAGANZA at the New 400 Theaters, 6746 N. Sheridan (just south of Pratt)!

I’ve teamed up with The New 400 Theaters to present FREE OF CHARGE three different family movies. You will have your choice of:

• Hotel Transyvania 3
• Teen Titans Go!
• Small Foot (2 screens)

[Read more…]

Dear Neighbor,

A station-based Strategic Decision Support Center (SDSC), high-definition POD crime cameras and mobile phone technology will launch in the 24th (Rogers Park) Police District this week. This brings to our community the same kind of “smart policing strategy” that has resulted in significant reductions in violent crime in the police districts where it has been implemented.

At my request, Mayor Emanuel and the Police Department moved up the timetable for the installation of the smart policing strategy in the 24th District in the wake of last fall’s random shooting deaths.

Even before the implementation of the smart policing strategy, the 49th Ward has experienced a significant drop in serious crime. According to Chicago Police Department statistics, the ward last year experienced a 12.7% decrease in serious crimes as compared to 2017, despite several high-profile and very disturbing shooting deaths. This trend has continued into January with a 43.4% decrease in violent crime as compared to January, 2018. [Read more…]