Old Town Art Fair this Weekend

Keeping the Ward Green with Trees

It's officially summer as the Old Town Art Fair celebrates its 67th year this weekend. On

June 11th and 12th from 10 AM - 6 PM you can see the work of more than 250 artists, half of which are new this year as selected by an independent jury of art professionals. Enjoy music, a food court, children's craft area and a garden walk.

Sincere thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who have made this the #1 Art Fair in the country. Your suggested $10 donation supports the Old Town Art Center, the Menonomee Boys and Girls Club, beautification of Old Town and grants to local schools and charities. See you there!

Plant a Tree

The Streets and Sanitation department's Bureau of Forestry is removing 15-20 Oz Park trees infected with the Emerald Ash Borer.

The Oz Park Advisory Council has worked tirelessly with the Chicago Park District to remove infected trees that have dead branches or are unstable and pose a safety risk in the case of inclement weather. The Oz Park Advisory Council is committed to replacing the trees that are removed.

There are several ways to help replace lost trees and preserve Lincoln Park's magnificent tree canopy:

The Chicago Parks District Green Deed Tree Dedication program lets you celebrate significant people and note-worthy events by planting a tree in the park of your choice. Donors will receive a Green Deed presentation certificate which details the person or event being honored, the type of tree planted and the planting location.

You and your neighbors can apply for an Openlands' TreePlanters Grant that helps groups of Chicago residents coordinate a community tree planting day to plant trees in parkways, parks and schools.

Plant your own tree in the parkway. To make sure it will flourish, here's a list of trees that will work with utility wires overhead, and a comprehensive list of approved trees. Your contractor will have to fill out a permit application, but the permit is free. Due to issues with underground utilities, residents cannot get a permit to plant a tree themselves.

We encourage residents to report dead trees and tree stumps that need removal. If you'd like a new parkway tree after the stump has been removed, you can click here for 311, or better yet, go to our website or call us at 773-348-9500.

18th District CPD Outdoor Roll Call

Chicago Police Department's 18th District will be conducting an outdoor roll call at the North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive, on Friday, June 10 at 5 P M. Come out to show your support to our hard working officers and show the 43rd Ward's commitment to a safe summer.

Lincoln Park Library Presents: Explore on the Go!

Teen Volunteers Needed

The Lincoln Park Branch Library, 1150 W Fullerton, is seeking volunteers age 12 to 18 to assist with the Summer Learning Challenge for Children running Monday, June 20 through Thursday, September 1. Volunteers must attend a training session at the branch on one of these dates:

Saturday, June 11 - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thursday, June 16 - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Please call (312) 744-1926 for additional inform ation.

Cravings on Clark

Come to Clark Street for the 3rd Annual restaurant crawl Thursday, June 16th from 6 - 9 PM. Guests will enjoy tastings from over twenty restaurants and shops, free pedicab rides, plus special deals and discounts at retail shops along the route. Meet our local chefs and business owners. $30 in advance, $40 the day of. Click here to purchase ti ckets.

Annual 43rd Ward City Sticker Sale

The 43rd Ward's annual City Sticker Sale is Friday, June 17th from 10 AM - 2 PM at the DePaul University Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave in Room 380. This ward sale is limited to customers with "June" vehicle sticker expiration dates. Vehicle stickers, senior stickers, residential zone stickers, transfers, residential daily permits and motorcycle antique vehicle tags are available at this event run by the City Clerk's Office. New residents must provide proof of residency, such as a lease or mortgage statement or a utility bill, and their vehicle registration, to buy a City Sticker. Cash payments will not be accepted, so please bring a debit or credit card, or personal check.

Honorary Warren Gast Way

A portion of North Fremont St. has been named Honorary Warren Gast Way in honor of St. James Lutheran School's longest-serving principal, who is retiring this year after 41 years of service. The sign was unveiled Sunday, June 5th where he was celebrated by alumni and parents, as well as students and teachers from the class of 1975 - Principal Gast's first year at the school . Congratulations!

Sophie Evanoff of Vanille wins James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award

Our proud congratulations to Sophie Evanoff, owner of Vanille Patisserie , 2106 N. Clark St., who made Chicago history as the first female recipient of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award. The Tyree Award recognizes and encourages our local entrepreneurs and small businesses to continue to grow and create jobs for the Chicagoland region. It's a prize almost as delicious as her cakes and pastries.

Operation Help - A - Hero

The 43rd Ward and Operation Help-A- Hero will be collecting basic household items and toiletries throughout the month of June in an effort to help the hundreds of Chicagoland veterans who are homeless. All donations will be delivered to the United State's Department of Veteran's Affairs, who will distribute materials to qualifying veterans in need of assist ance. Please drop off donations at the Ward office, 2523 N. Halsted.

Have a great weekend,

Michele Smith

Alderman, 43rd Ward

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