Ash leaves come in pairs. Chicago’s urban forest is in trouble. By Marjorie Isaacson Due to infection by the emerald ash borer, the majority of Chicago's ash trees will die. East Village residents are fundraising to treat ash trees. Chicago has about 20% tree coverage, far below the national average. The city’s tree inventory includes 43,000 green and white ash trees, a major segment of that population. Due to infection by the emerald ash borer, the majority of these trees will die. Trees provide many benefits: cleaning air and water, cooling temperatures in the summer and contributing to human physical and psychological health. Trees also remove carbon dioxide from the air. Preserving and adding to the urban forest is one of the primary strategies in Chicago’s climate change mitigation plans. To make this happen, Chicago has embarked on a massive tree-planting campaign. But while these new trees are a good investment in the future, it will be many years until they reach the si

1900 block of Chicago Avenue. /div> East Village Association membership meeting March 13, 2024, at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave.; Presiding: Jenifer Goldsmith, president By Jenifer Goldsmith EVA members voted in new officers, passed a resolution in support of lifting a liquor moratorium on Chicago Avenue and heard from the owner of a new neighborhood business. EVA is excited to welcome our 2024 fiscal board! President: Jenifer Goldsmith Vice President: Christina Slaton Interim Secretary: Neal McKnight Treasurer: Bob Zwolinski If you or someone you know is interested in joining the EVA board, we are still looking to fill the position of secretary. Please reach out to any board member to inquire. We also welcome your ideas and suggestions. New businesses on Chicago Avenue, Passages Wine and Books, 1911 W. Chicago Ave., and The Happy Hour Shop, 1919 W. Chicago Ave., are requesting a lift of the liquor moratorium on Chicago Avenue to apply for incidental liquor lice

East Village Association membership meeting Feb. 7, 2024 at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave.; President Christina Slaton presiding EVA members will vote March 13 whether to accept new liquor licenses on the 1900 block of Chicago Avenue. The two business owners presented their plans Feb. 7. A moratorium now restricts new liquor licenses, with restaurants as the only exception, on Chicago Avenue between Damen and Wood in the 36th Ward. The vote would advise Ald. Gilbert Villegas on whether to lift the moratorium for at least a year. Passages Wine and Books : The wine cafe at 1911 W. Chicago will serve glasses of wine as well as pour-over coffee and other nonalcoholic beverages, as well as snacks, popcorn and tinned fish. "It is time to start something that brings me and others joy," said business ownber Amanda Sadowski a social worker in Chicago for 15 years. The bookstore's bar would not qualify for the restaurant exception for new liquor licenses. The building

Rezoning could limit 814-820 N. Damen Ave. to residential use. A proposal to rezone part of the 800 block of North Damen Avenue is on the agenda for the April membership meeting. Members can vote on the zoning recommendation or propose alternatives during the 7pm April 10 meeting at Roots Pizza West Town, 1924 N. Chicago Ave. Properties at 814 N. Damen, 818 N. Damen and 820 N. Damen would allow multiunit residential construction of up to 4 floors without storefronts. EVA board member Neal McKnight recommends the rezoning as consistent with surrounding uses. The first two buildings are residential; 820 N. Damen is the vacant Grace Auto Body location and a potential redevelopment site. If Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) adopts the proposed EVA recommendation, zoning would change to RM-5, a residerntial designation. The current B-3 zoning calls for first-floor business use, with residences permitted on upper floors. RM-5 would allow more residential units then the mixed-use designati

We’re Jess and John Feller, owners of The Happy Hour Shop at 1919 W. Chicago Ave. Our beloved storefront is an extension of our locally-operated business Aged & Infused , an alcohol infusion kit company we've been growing here on the West Side since 2016. If you couldn’t tell, we’re in love with all-things happy hour. It’s our passion. And in addition to selling a beautifully curated selection of glassware, barware, and cocktail supplies in the shop, we're interested in hosting private educational cocktail classes for the community. To do this, we’re seeking the neighborhood’s support in lifting the liquor moratorium on the 1900 block of Chicago Avenue. We are so excited to put our roots down in West Town and are grateful for your consideration and support. Business Plan: The Happy Hour Shop, an extension of West Town-based Aged & Infused, is a retail storefront specializing in new and vintage glassware, barware, cocktail supplies and all-things home bar. In addit