EVA at 30: An anniversary gift

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Take a closer look among the real-estate ads, discount circulars and copies of the Onion at East Village shops and offices. Look for the flier pictured here, with a photo of the corner of Chicago and Ashland circa 1927. It's the front page of a revealing survey of the neighborhood's past and future: the East Village Association 30th anniversary newsletter. Pick it up there or download it here.

The free eight-page leaflet views East Village from several angles: Dave Vavra recalls its days as the No Name Neighborhood; Scott A. Rappe comments on the changing streetscape; Marjorie Isaacson digs into the Frankie Machine community garden; Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo and Lisa DiChiera reflect on EVA's successful 1976 grassroots campaign to save the Goldblatt's Building, and Annie Miskewitch tells about its new life as the West Town branch library.

The glossy color publication was produced by Alcazar-Anselmo, Isaacson and graphic artist Joe Hunniwinkel. The format recalls the monthly hand-lettered, typewritten or desktop-published newsletters that preceded this blog as a unifying forum for a diverse neighborhood. Find examples of past newsletters in EVA's online archive.

More photos and recollections from East Village's past will be featured in a video presentation to debut during the EVA 30th anniversary event, at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Goldblatt's Building, 1625 W. Chicago Ave.

Follow this site for more posts to mark EVA's 30th anniversary. What are your thoughts on how East Village has changed? Leave your comments below.
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