The East Village Association has elected its current officers to serve for the next year. President Michael VanDam is the only officer who has served a full year in his position; three have been appointed to vacancies. A nominating committee of VanDam, Dan Johnson and Neal McKnight recommends that current officers serve till March 2019. The slate was elected by acclamation March 5 at Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. The meeting included a presentation by members of the Polish Triangle Coalition on plans for the Ashland-Division-Milwaukee plaza and CTA station. EVA board members are appointed by the president. Here are short biographies on EVA's officers: Michael VanDam , president I've lived in East Village for more than 10 years, and in Chicago for more than 25. I grew up in Michigan and attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, before coming back to the Midwest. Living directly on Chicago Avenue, I'm particularly interested in promoting responsib...

EVA has championed redevelopment of St. Boniface Church since it closed in 1990. East Village is a magnet for young professionals and the developers who follows them. EVA's most popular posts of 2016 follow the progress of St. Boniface, Pure Dairy, Ace on Ashland and other developments. Neighbors fight new St. Boniface apartment plan March 31: Neighbors of St. Boniface organized to save St. Boniface Church at 1358 W. Chestnut St. A threat to raze the church drew new interest in preserving the site, an EVA goal since the church closed in 1990. Stas Development finally stalled demolition in a last-minute deal to buy the site. An open house this coming Tuesday will preview the construction timeline for condos and a music hall . Planning, Preservation & Development Ongoing: Expansion of Chicago's Transit Oriented Development rules, which waives parking space requirements near rail lines, drew contractors to EVA's development guidelines, which discourage one-off...

A great turnout, great weather and big fun brought neighbors together Aug. 27 for this year's EVA summer block party. Thanks to our sponsors Forbidden Root and Ask Nagel Realty. See more photos in EVA's Facebook album .

East Village Association's annual summer event brought neighbors together for food and drink, plus a bounce house for the kids. Find more photos on the EVA Facebook page.

Firefighters from Engine Company 30, the Chicago Public Library's West Town staff and U.S. Rep Mike Quigley mixed with neighbors (and dodged summer showers) at the 2014 East Village Association summer block party on North Winchester Avenue. Thanks to our sponsors: the Chicago Park District, Epic Spices, West Town Bakery & Diner, 3 Floyds Brewing Co., Ask Nagel Realty, Ald. Robert Fioretti, Roots Handmade Pizza, Building Blocks Toy Store, Chicago Library Foundation, Ald. Proco Joe Moreno and the Artistic Home theater. Find more photos at the East Village Association page on Facebook .

By Steven Crane The East Village Association is a nonprofit organization that provides a forum to discuss local events and concerns. EVA maintains contact with our aldermen, acting as a liaison between the neighborhood and our representatives. Our monthly meetings also include guest speakers. Notable recent guests include our police commander and a group from the Near North Montessori School that plans to develop a community garden right in the heart of our neighborhood. We also plan an annual summer barbecue and an annual holiday dinner, both fun events to relax with your neighbors. Vital to this mission is the involvement of the community. We need your ideas and input to continue making our neighborhood the vibrant place we enjoy. As the new year begins, we’d like to remind our members that it is time to renew your membership. Membership dues are critical to the support of our mission. Annual membership is inexpensive and provides valuable benefits. Membership runs from January ...

View slideshow from 2009 EVA Summer Barbecue Turnout was estimated at more than 100 at the EVA summer barbecue. Thanks to those that joined or renewed their membership (if you did not, renew at eastvillagechicago.org). Thanks also to sponsors Happy Village, The Boundary Tavern & Grille, Cafe Piccolo and Dominick’s Finer Foods.

President Message by John Scheer  August is the East Village Association annual tradition for the summer barbecue. This year, comfort comes from burgers provided by EVA members from The Boundary, side dishes from you and your neighbors — bring one of your favorites to share — and some gelato from Cafe Piccolo. The barbecue is open to all neighbors and is one of the annual events designed to encourage new EVA memberships. In addition to an evening of good food and neighbors, new members who join at the barbecue will receive a membership through 2010. Everyone is encouraged to reach out to neighbors who are not currently EVA members and extend a personal invitation to join us Aug. 3 at the Happy Village. Special invites have been extended to our aldermen to join their constituents for an evening of food and fun. The EVA board has been working on other entertainment for the evening. So come join the tradition and join EVA. East Village Association Summer Barbecue This is a p...

Membership meeting minutes for May 4, 2009 Submitted by Dana Palmer Guest speaker Bill Loumbardias, along with attorney Lisa Moreno, presented a proposal for The Winchester restaurant located at 1924 W. Chicago. Mr. Loumbardias and Mrs. Moreno provided a revised proposal regarding neighborhood concerns raised at the previous March 2009 membership meeting . Among the concerns were noise, parking, garbage removal and storage, ventilation and the seeking of a Public Place of Amusement license: Noise: Many concerns were raised regarding the noise level of The Winchester due to the large capacity of seating, outdoor seating and drunken nuisances. Capacity: It was previously assessed that The Winchester would seat approximately 290 occupants. However, the new proposal assessed 190 indoor seats with 50 outdoor seats. Outdoor seating: Mr. Loumbardias stated that in the new proposal most outdoor seating will be directed towards Chicago Ave. versus the previous proposal having a large por...

John Scheer – President My name is John Scheer and I moved to the East Village in 1995. Since that time I have reached out to EVA for support on numerous occasions and in return I have invested my own time and energy toward a number of neighborhood initiatives. Most recently, I have become more active in a number of the neighborhood associations that border the East Village to establish a broader and more inclusive view of policies and directions for our members. I have also had the fascinating opportunity to learn firsthand how similar neighborhood groups are addressing some of the same questions in Milwaukee. I continued to see the value of the EVA organization to facilitate communication and a venue to allow the residents to manage the change within our neighborhood. I have been EVA president for the past year and would appreciate your confidence in supporting me as the next President of EVA. Greg Nagel - vice president My name is Greg Nagel and I’m running for EVA vice president....

President Message by John Scheer  The new year 2009 is already starting to mature within the first month. And with the cold weather and snow, what better things can we do but get involved with our neighbors in support of our community? In this first month, EVA has seen the membership exercise its voice on a couple of zoning topics, each of which will have an impact on the neighborhood. Renewing your membership, or signing up as a new member, is one of the best ways to get involved in your community and to make a difference. The more neighbors who get involved and participate in the decisions that form the future of our neighborhood, the better the planning and improvements for all of us. Most recently, you may have been aware of the community support that EVA and its members contributed back to our neighbors. In December, the members donated warm clothing as part of our holiday celebration to direct some resources to our neighbors in need of some basic comforts. EVA also provided...

By Joe Hunnewinkel  The garden patio of the Happy Village Tavern filled with East Village Association members Aug. 5 for the annual EVA summer barbecue. Neighbors socialized and enjoyed food provided by The Boundary, Dominick's and Café Piccolo. See photos of the event. The 2008 EVA barbecue could not have been the success that it was had it not been for the generosity and commitment of some of our neighborhood businesses. First, to Cheryln, Katie & Louie at The Happy Village Tavern (1059 N. Wolcott) for again, as in most of EVA's history, provided a cheerful setting for the event. We greatly appreciate the continued commitment to the organization, and friendly, helpful attitude. To Ken and the staff of The Boundary (1932 W. Division) for donating huge tasty burgers- and manning the grill! You rocked. Members raved. Thank you for your contribution of time and talent. Also cheese. To Phil at Café Piccolo (859 N. Damen) for printing our invites and donating that cr...

In the last year our East Village Association community group has really revitalized and made great progress! We have made a real impact on development in our area, reformed the Planning & Development Committee, grown our membership, created a website and discussion group, and had relevant speakers come to our meetings. We need to keep this momentum going and build on this progress. So in our March 4 meeting we need to elect new officers. Each candidate has written a short biography. Please make sure to come to the meeting and vote. Please remember that only active members can vote on March 4, so please pay your annual membership dues. You can do this online at our website by clicking on the “Join EVA” orange button in the bottom-left corner or by bringing a check to the next meeting. EVA membership dues are $30 business, $20 family, $15 individual or $5 senior. John Scheer, candidate for EVA president My name is John Scheer and I moved to the East Village in 1995. That’s 13 y...

By Brian Thompson and John Scheer, EVA membership committee It is time for EVA members to pay their 2008 dues. EVA members can pay dues online via PayPay or credit card. Simply go to the EVA website (www.eastvillagechicago.org) and click on "Join EVA/Pay EVA Dues" in the lower left corner, then follow the prompts. It is that easy! Paying your dues is important because only members in good standing can vote in the March, 2008 elections. As a reminder, those new members who joined EVA at the August, 2007 BBQ are already paid up for 2008.

by Brian Thompson The membership committee is composed of Brian Thompson, John Scheer, Guy Rudolph and Scott Van Den Plas. With a listing of new property owners in hand, Brian Thompson and John Scheer have focused on recruiting new East Village Association members by visiting new East Village residents and delivering a copy of the latest EVA newsletter. We would like to thank Greg Nagel of Cedar Realty for providing the listing of new East Village property owners. Also, joining EVA or paying your EVA membership dues just got easier! Both new and current members can now pay dues online via PayPay or credit card. Simply go to the EVA website ( www.eastvillagechicago.org ) and click on "Join EVA/Pay EVA Dues" in the lower left corner, then follow the prompts. It is that easy! Finally, please bring a buddy to the Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 7 p.m. East Village Association pizza party at Happy Village Tavern (corner of Wolcott and Thomas Streets). We hope to see you there.

The membership committee is composed of Brian Thompson, John Scheer, Guy Rudolph, and Scott Van Den Plas. The committee has focused its recruiting efforts on former EVA members. Thus far, at least five prior members have pledged to rejoin EVA and/or have provided checks to EVA renewing their memberships. A special thanks to John Scheer for all his efforts! We look forward to recruiting many new members at the August BBQ.

John and Carolina would like to announce the birth of their daughter Cecilia. She was born December 29, 2006, weighed 9 lbs. 5 oz, and 20 inches in length. Her hobbies including eating, sleeping, waking-up, looking around at everything, and strolling to pastry shops. Former EVA President Aaron Bilton and wife Amy welcomed daughter Carina Rose Bilton to the East Village neighborhood on January 31, 2007. Carina weighed 6 lbs 9 oz at birth, and she is doing very well. In fact, she attended her first Cubs game recently with Dad, and she managed to last all 14 innings!