FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Albany Park

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Illinois. Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the Albany Park floods of September 13-14, 2008 may be eligible to receive federal assistance.

To serve the needs of the affected residents, Alderman Laurino, State Representative John D'Amico, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, and the city's Office of Management and Communications worked with FEMA to open an office in the Albany Park community. The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Albany Park will provide face-to-face assistance to those who suffered damage.

The center will be located at:

Northeastern Illinois University
Physical Education Building
3600 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

The center will open at noon, Tuesday, October 7. Starting Wednesday, October 8, the hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.
Residents should register with FEMA before visiting the center. There are two ways to register: log on to www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m, seven days a week, until further notice. Residents should register only once; duplicate registrations may cause delays in the delivery of assistance.

Friends of Eugene Field Park Playlot is holding a t-shirt design contest for the kids of Albany Park!

block club convention - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: block club convention

Independence Park Farmers Market

If you're looking for a Farmers Market, look no further than the 39th Ward! 

Our popular Farmers Market will return to Independence Park (corner of Irving Park and North Hamlin) on the first and third Sunday of each month.  Various vendors sell a variety of products including gourmet coffee, pastries, fresh bread, organic meats and eggs, garden plants, granola, brownies, soy candles, smoothies, organic soda, tamales, handmade soap, honey, and fruits and vegetables (in season). The Farmers Market cater to all, do not miss out on the opportunity.

The first Farmers Market of the season will was held on Sunday, June 1 from 8 a.m. - noon.  Farmers Markets will be also be held on:

June 15  July 6 and 20  August 3 and 17 September 7 and 21 October 5

Do not forget to mark these dates on your calendar.

Eugene Field Restoration Project

A group of community residents "Friends of Eugene Field Playlot" are in partnership with "Parkways Foundation" and are working together to raise funds to renovate the playlot at Eugene Field. Their goal is to create a playlot that is safe, clean, attractive and accessible to all children.

Putting together the plan to renovate Eugene Field 1st step is to raise enough funds to fully renovate the playlot with new updated equipment. Thanks to the 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino a check was presented for $100,000.00 to the Friends of Eugene Field Playlot and their supporters. The donation from Alderman Margaret Laurino brings the organization closer to reaching their goal of raising $250,000.00, the organization hopes to raise the remaining funds through neighborhood fundraiser's in addition with corporate and governmental support.

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview, please call Judy Gadiel at 847.275.0749 or email at friendsofeugenefield@gmail.com.

Join the 39th Ward Clean and Green

On Saturday, May 17, 2008, you can join your local community group to make an immediate difference in the neighborhood by volunteering your time and efforts to take part in Mayor Daley's Spring Clean & Green Day.
The City will work with you and your community organization to provide all the brooms, rakes, shovels and bags needed to get the job done. For more information, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact the 39th Ward Service Office at 773-736-5594.

Gang Graffiti Removed

          

Before                                                 

After

Fast action by the City of Chicago, Alderwoman Laurino and the 39th ward office, removed Gang Graffiti from one of our larger and visible buildings. We the neighbors, owners and tenants of Avers Avenue thank them for their work and prompt attention. The ward office did a follow-up call to make sure it had been removed. This is the kind of team work we need to maintain our neighborhood.  Thanks go to all who called 311, The Alderwoman's office [773-736-5594] or used their E-Mail address [ ward39@cityofchicago.org].

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Attend Albany Park CAPS Meeting

Join other residents in the neighborhood and attend the CAPS meeting. Below is a link for various CAPS meeting held in Albany Park find what district you fall under.

Albany Park CAP Meeting

Dead Roster on Brown Line Tracks

A dead rooster has been seen on the Brown Line tracks at the Francisco stop on May 5th, 2008. This may have been the same rooster that has been heard recently within this past week during the early morning hours.

Could this dead rooster be a result of "Cock-Fighting" in the area or someone that lost a pet!

Where are the parents - Kids running loose!

Today the police responded to call sometime around 5 :00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. this evening about children that were seen to what appears to have a "Gun" and were waving it outside a 2nd floor apartment window of a 2 Flat apartment building located at 4832 N. Avers Ave. Soon after the police left the scene a group of kids returned back to the property and continued to loiter out in the front of the property. This property has been noticed as a hot area and an attraction to several young kids and teens some of which appear to be involved in possible gangs, robbery and or drugs.

I have to ask where are the parents and how come they are not stepping up and attempt to keep their kids of from the streets?

Graffiti Laundry Mat

Neighborhood gang graffiti on Avers side of building at corner of Lawrence and Avers (3822 Lawrence). This has been reported to 311 and to Alderman's office. You may want to report it if not removed soon so that they know the people will not stand of defacing where we live. As a community we must take a stand among those who feel it is necessary to deface private property.