Join us for grilling, games and more fun from noon to 8pm Aug. 22 on the 800 block of North Winchester. Bring food and drink to share; Roots will provide pizza and West Town Bakery cake balls. A raffle will support EVA's community improvement efforts.

Jazz bassist Matt Ulery performs June 12 at the Polish Triangle. Tuesdays at the Triangle concerts begin June 5 at the Polish Triangle, the intersection of Ashland Street, Division Street and Milwaukee Avenue. Jazz guitarist Ishmael Ali and Je'raf open the sixth season of free concerts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Division stop of the CTA Blue Line. Scheduled performers for the month include Matt Ulery (jazz, June 12), Cremona (chamber music, June 19) and Przybysz Quartet (jazz, June 26). The plaza performance are organized by the Polish Triangle Coalition, a volunteer group organized by West Town community organizations and institutions. The coalition works for programs and improvements to make the Polish Triangle a welcoming and nurturing destination.

Proposed replacement for a single-family home on Thomas would be higher than either of its neighbors, inviting future teardowns. By Michelle Hayward East Village Association board of directors meeting May 8, 2017 Bath House Cultural Center, 1019 N. Wolcott Ave. Michael VanDam called the meeting to order. Agenda: Presentation from 1538 W. Thomas (Planning, Preservation & Development) Other PPD Updates/Marq on Noble Inter-Group Candidate Forum (request from Lyn Wolfson at Chicago Grand Neighbors Association) June Membership Meeting -- ideas Safety/Security Update 1538 W. Thomas EVA board was visited by attorney Stephen Barrios, developer Walter/Vladimir Zeleni, property owner Ernesto Rubio and Victor Drapszo of Red Architects. Rubio is seeking to amend a zoning restriction for his property to be redeveloped in the middle of the block on Thomas. Rubio purchased the property in 1998 and currently resides there. The single-family property is between a three-story and a...

EVA members voted to support the Eckhart Park Community Council in its objections to rezoning for apartments at Noble and Walton. By Michelle Hayward East Village Association membership meeting May 1, 2017 Happy Village 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. President’s Welcome Michael VanDam call the May 1 meeting to order. Michael announced his objective to engage local businesses in EVA. To that end, Michael invited several local businesses to discuss their summer camp offerings with the membership. Business Minute: Summer Vacation Special Edition City Epicurean Cake Camp : City Epicurean is run by Naomi Levine. Located at Grand/Oakland they focus on cake decorating vs. cooking with the goal of fun and engaging kids' creativity. $135 for 5 days, 9a - 5p. The camp will run weekly sessions for 8 weeks. Discounts for the second sibling and third. Two age groups: 4-9 and 9-18. West Loop Soccer Club : West Loop Soccer club has opened a West Town location two weeks ago. They are off...

Taiko Legacy drummers perform last August at the Polish Triangle. Tuesday commuter concerts resume May 23 at the Polish Triangle, the fountain plaza at Ashland, Division and Milwaukee. The East Village Association, Wicker Park Committee and other groups in the Polish Triangle Coalition are finalizing performers, food vendors and sponsors. Blue Line commuters and neigbors can catch the concerts from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Tuesdays through August. The Tuesdays at the Triangle schedule includes nationally recognized performers such as Matt Ulery’s Loom , along with neighborhood ensembles such as the series-opening Near North Montessori school band, Latino Experimental Theater and the Adventure Stage Chicago Trailblazers. Ald. Brian Hopkins has expedited utility connections for the plaza to give this year's performers a silent power source. Businesses and residents can donate to support not only the concerts but also planters and other beautification efforts at the Nelson Algren...

EVA treasurer K.K. Goh and Rep. Mike Quigley at the 2014 EVA block party. East Village Association minutes for Aug. 3, 2015, by Michael VanDam Congressman Quigley Rep. Mike Quigley joined the EVA meeting to offer an update on the Illinois 5th District. Among the highlights: The new district map has expanded substantially: It’s now equivalent to 15 Chicago wards. Definitely let him know if you’re coming to D.C. He can help out with White House tours, Capitol tours and other events, and loves to see his constituents. He has recently been appointed to the House Select Committee on Intelligence , working on issues of national and international security. He continues on the House Appropriations Committee, focusing on issues of transportation and urban development. Climate change is a particularly important issue to him and he supports President Obama’s recent emphasis on the issue.

Macaroni Soup, a music and dance program for kids, is coming May 4 to the West Town Branch Library. Children's librarian Caleb Nolan says Carole Peterson Stephens and Clarence Goodman are known for their high-energy audience participation shows. "Miss Carole will have everyone singing, dancing and learning," Nolan says, adding that "a snowball fight is always a possibility, even in May." The show starts at 10:30am at the library, 1625 W. Chicago Ave. CDs are available at www.macaronisoup.com and at the concert. The program is funded by the East Village Association. Read more »

2nd Ward candidates (clockwise, from left) Steve Niketopolous, Bita Buenrostro, Brian Hopkins, Stacey Pfingsten, Cornell Wilson, Alyx Pattison. SIX CANDIDATES MEET IN 2ND WARD DEBATE Candidates for alderman in Chicago’s 2nd Ward will answer questions submitted by residents at a 7 p.m. Feb 5 debate in the Wells Community Academy High School auditorium, 936 W. Ashland Ave. The forum will be moderated by representatives from four West Town community organizations. Ward boundaries stretch from Lake Shore Drive to Oakley Boulevard and Huron Street to Wrightwood Avenue. Mayoral candidate Robert W. “Bob” Fioretti is the incumbent. All six candidates in the ward confirm they will attend: Steve Niketopoulos - educational TV producer, local school council representative. Bita Buenrostro - executive with corporation that manages three Chicago area restaurants. Brian Hopkins - former aide to Cook County Commissioner John Daley. Alyx Pattison - lawyer, local school council repr...

By Heather MacLeish , Mortar + Pestle Events For one week, Chicago’s connoisseurs of cured meat, including Tete Charcuterie and The Butcher & Larder, will feature house-made charcuterie on their menus. On Feb. 26, each participant will serve their signature Charcuterie creations at Charc Bites, a cocktail party at The Dawson. Special beverages will include the “Salumi Back,” a spirit and salami combo from CH Distillery and West Loop Salumi and a Steeped Emperor's Lemon Saison beer pairing from Moody Tongue brewery. The Butcher & Larder, The Dawson, La Sardine, Perennial Virant, The Radler, Table, Donkey, & Stick, Tete, West Loop Salumi, and Chop Shop will be serving Charc Week menus from Feb. 23-27, 2015. On Feb. 26, all of the participants will be gathered at The Dawson for Charc Week Party, where each chef will serve Charcuterie, as guests sip cocktails by the fireplace. Tickets are $75. Fireplace Lounge tables of 6, $625, include early access to the event, champ...

1st Ward candidates (clockwise, from left) Proco "Joe" Moreno, Anne Shaw, Ronda Locke, Andrew Hamilton. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION TO MODERATE HOTLY CONTESTED 1ST WARD DEBATE Candidates for alderman in Chicago’s 1st Ward candidate will answer questions at a 7 p.m. Jan. 29 debate in the Wells Community Academy High School auditorium, 936 W. Ashland Ave. The forum is moderated by Alden Loury, senior policy analyst of the Better Government Association, and organized by a coalition of West Town community organizations. The format will include questions submitted by residents. Send yours here . All four candidates in the ward confirm they will attend: Proco “Joe” Moreno - Incumbent appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2010 and elected in 2011 Chicago municipal election. Anne Shaw – Lawyer active in public safety issues, former Cook County Board of Ethics commissioner. Andrew Hamilton – 1st Ward resident, consumer and victim’s rights lawyer. Ronda Locke – Former...

Complimentary pizza from Roots and baked goods from West Town Bakery will be served at Monday's East Village Association meeting, in the game room at Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott. The meeting starts at 7pm. The agenda includes development updates on the Fifield Cos. apartment site at 1850 W. Chicago Ave. , the former AAA Distributing site; the Smithfield apartments at 1815 W. Division St. , the former Miller Lumber location, and the Forbidden Root brewery at 1750 W. Chicago Ave. EVA's aldermanic meet-and-greet series continues with 2nd Ward candidates Cornell Wilson and Brian Hopkins . You're also welcome to submit your questions for our candidate debates, set for Jan. 29 in the 1st Ward and Feb. 15 in the 2nd Ward, at Wells High School.

Will a young Division Street pub crawl behave like a grownup? Chicago Christmas Crawl, slated for Dec. 13, gets an early test Monday: a membership vote at the East Village Association 7pm meeting. Candidates for alderman also will address EVA. Andrew Hamilton (1st Ward) and Steve Niketopoulos (2nd Ward) will speak Monday, with others to follow before the Feb. 24 city election. EVA also is organizing a candidates' debate with neighboring groups. There'll also be an update on Polish Triangle developments for Division Street, including the CTA's Blue Line renovation plans. The Christmas Crawl's modeled after Wrigleyville's large and rowdy Twelve Bars of Christmas, known for mass consumption of alcohol and breakfast cereal, sometimes at once . Crawl organizer Jess Loren, a former TBOC promoter, will field questions before the vote at Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Loren tells RedEye it's aimed at an older, over-25 crowd. The Division Street e...

By Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo and Catherine Garypie How do local libraries offer so much free programming? The East Village Association wanted to expand its support for the West Town Branch library, 1625 W. Chicago Ave. Our research discovered a very important community partner, the Chicago Public Library Foundation . It's a not-for-profit fundraising partner to the Chicago Public Library. The foundation develops partnerships throughout Chicago and beyond. Its efforts support the library’s programs, technology and collections. Through generous private donations, the foundation connects library users to their community and the world, ensuring all Chicagoans have the freedom to read, learn and discover. One Book, One Chicago, the Summer Learning Challenge and the Teacher in the Library program are 100 percent funded by donors to the library foundation. The library’s efforts to nurture learning, support economic advancement and strengthen communities are at the heart of the Chicag...

Friends of Eckhart Park plans its annual neighborhood Walk for Fun at 10am Sept. 20 in the park at 1330 W. Chicago Ave. Organizers are celebrating the park's new playground renovation and raising funds for an improved fitness center. The walk will leave Eckhart Park at 10 and is stroller- and pet-friendly. Kids 12 years and younger can participate in the walk and a 100-yard dash afterward. Register your child on the day of the race for $5. Kids are encouraged to bring bikes and scooters. Registration ($50 family, $30 adult, $5 kids) will include a T-shirt and coupons to local businesses. Family Registration includes two adults and their kids. Dash registration includes a medal, and fun.

By Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo Gather your team now for the East Village Association's second library fundraiser, a Sept. 25 charades competition. Teams of four will “act out” book titles without speaking, while other members of their team try quickly to guess the title. “West Town Literary Charades Madness” runs from 6 to 9pm at Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. The final four teams, with the fastest completion times, compete for the crown of 2014 West Town Champions. Winners will receive prizes from local businesses and sponsors, plus bragging rights for the year. Proceeds from this evening’s event will be directed to future programming at the West Town Branch Library. Event proceeds help library staff offer free programming that would not be possible without local fundraising efforts. This year’s programming goals includes expansion of a children’s chess program that teaches beginners and pairs intermediate and expert players to challenge one another. The branch plans ...