The annual tradition continues! The August EVA meeting is an informal summer social event at 7 p.m. Aug. 5. in the popular outdoor patio of the Happy Village Tavern at Wolcott and Thomas. Please feel free to bring your neighbors and your favorite side dish or dessert. Main food dish provided by EVA and our sponsors. Become a member at the barbecue and qualify for an extended membership term. Special guest, Alderman Manny Flores (1st Ward). Host: East Village Association Location: Happy Village Tavern 1059 N. Wolcott (Wolcott & Thomas), Chicago When: Tuesday, August 5, 7:00PM Please support your local businesses that are contributing to this years barbecue: Happy Village Tavern The Boundary Dominicks Café Piccolo RSVP to this event Bring your friends and meet new ones. Please let us know if you can attend, and what you are going to bring.

President’s Message by John Scheer  Gonzalo Flores, better know as Charlie, made his first major move from Puerto Rico to New York City in 1947. In 1978 he moved again to what used to be called the DePaul neighborhood, then in 1980 to his current East Village home. He has been a pioneer, and a wise investor. Charlie Flores moved to Chicago with his wife Matilda, four daughters and three sons, and started his career as a pipefitter for Western Electric on 22nd Street and Cicero Avenue. I didn’t know Charlie, but his life moves were several years ahead of my own. I bought my first condo on West Armitage Avenue in 1982, on what would have been on the same block as Charlie. In 1995, I moved across the street from Charlie on Winchester Avenue. His new East Village home needed a lot of upkeep. He installed new floors, repaired the ceilings and walls, and cleaned the graystone front. Gang members, their friends and families populated most of the block. Charlie and his family learned to li...

General meeting minutes for July 1, 2008 Membership Meeting Submitted by Joe Hunnewinkel Guest speaker was Theresa Minarik-Okuley, manager of Greenmaker Supply. Minarik-Okuley introduced members to a few samples of eco-friendly, recyclable and/or sustainable cleaning solutions, building materials and household items available through Greenmaker Supply. She explained Greenmaker's philosophy of the "Seven Seeds," which convey the green attributes of materials and enable customers to easily choose which products best fit their green building needs: energy intelligent water wise healthy interiors recycled content renewable materials regional growth lifecycle Questions were asked by members relating to specific building needs as well as environmental solutions. Members discussed options to raise interest in the upcoming EVA barbecue. Suggestions included a raffle, awards presentations, and games. Board Meeting minutes for 7/8, 2008 Submitted by Joe Hunnewinkel Attendance: Boar...

Jazz from the Charlie Hunter Trio, alternative rock by Polvo and Bishop Allen, dance from Dark Party, experimental music of Daedelus and pop with the 1900s and Ra Ra Riot the 1900s are among performers at the three music stages of Wicker Park Fest, July 26 and 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wicker Park Fest is staged on Damen Avenue between North and Schiller. Donation is $5 to benefit the Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. Information is at wickerparkbucktown.com or (773) 384-2672.

By John Scheer   Some remodeling products can save you big bucks in the first year of installation by reducing your energy consumption or providing you with a method to monitor what personal behaviors are using the most energy. Others are healthy alternatives for products that are part of your everyday life. Both types of "green" commodities will be explained July 1 in the general membership meeting of the East Village Association. Giving details is guest Theresa Minarik-Okuley, the marketing manager for Greenmaker Supply , 2500 N. Pulaski Rd. Greenmaker opened for business in September 2005 and was founded by Ori J. Sivan and Joe Silver. East Village residents are perpetually updating or repairing something in their homes. Minarik-Okuley will share selected items from the vast inventory of green products. Please join her at 7 p.m. at the Happy Village Tavern, 1059 N. Wolcott, to learn more about options to improve your family’s home, and continue to support green-community...

President’s Message by John Scheer Longtime East Village residents have a wealth of knowledge and history about the neighborhood that has never been captured. These pioneers have added their own characteristics to the current culture of the East Village. This month’s message is a snapshot of one family that moved to the East Village, stayed through its evolution and became part of its fabric. This is a story about Louie Topacio, son of Luis Topacio. Luis moved to East Village in 1971. He worked as a nurse at two jobs, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Cook County Hospital, to support his wife and family. Many of the nine sons and four daughters were adults but the family was still a top priority for the Topacios. Soon after arriving in East Village, Luis bought a modest two-flat on the same block where he was renting. Ten years later, Louie (one of the sons) and his wife Linda relocated to East Village and moved into the two flat with Luis. Jane Byrne was mayor in the early 1980s when they m...