By Anne Shaw On Sept. 8, local community groups and the 13th District Police Advisory Committee will be hosts to a 13th District Officer Appreciation Celebration. The event from 6:30 to 10 pm in St. Helen’s School hall, 2345 W. Augusta Blvd., will have door and raffle prizes, food and music. A special video tribute to the 13th District police station and its officers will debut. The Wood Street police station is slated to be demolished in October when the new 12/13th District is finished at 14th Street and Racine Avenue, 4 miles south of the Wood Street station.

By Molly Murray Another Keepin' it Real forum is being held at 6:30 pm this coming Tuesday at 1012 N. Noble St. on burglaries. For those that have not attended before, this is a panel of convicted burglars who will tell you everything from why they do it, time of day, how they got in, where do they look first, how can you protect yourself, etc. These forums are different every time so if you have attended in the past, the information you receive will change based on those that have chosen to come and talk to you. Please join us – it promises to be enlightening.

By Scott A. Rappe Tax incentives at the county, state and federal level can save money for rehabbers in a city landmark district, such as the East Village, Ukrainian Village or Wicker Park districts, or the National Register of Historic Places (as is most of East Village). The East Village Association on Sept. 10 will be host to a presentation on preservation incentives from Anthony Rubano of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Tax incentives have supported more than $2.3 billion worth of historic property renovation in Illinois over the past decade, which the agency says created 37,000 jobs. Learn how your next renovation project might benefit at 7 pm at the Happy Village tavern, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave.

By Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo On Sept. 13, the East Village Association celebrates 30 years of volunteer work in the West Town community with a free reception for EVA members. Significantly, the celebration also will focus on the 2nd anniversary of the West Town Branch Library and the community’s efforts to raise funds in support of programming. Landmark Illinois will re-present the 1997 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award to EVA and the library for their Goldblatt’s preservation work. The library stands as a testament to the commitment of community residents in the preservation battle that prevented this neighborhood landmark from being demolished, and now is the home of the West Town library. The celebration will be at 6 pm at the library, 1625 W. Chicago Ave. There will be a video presentation of highlights from the community's last 30 years, and food and beverages will be served. Non-members may join at the event to attend, and all are encouraged to contribute ...

By Ronda Locke We were lucky last year to get Circus in the Parks at Commercial Park and will have it for at least one more year: Oct. 6 & 7. It is an incredible two-hour performance with top-notch performers from as far as Montreal and Europe. Last year we sold out two of our four weekend shows and expect to sell out this year. Ticket proceeds are split between seven participating parks for improvements. Commercial Park's advisory council, for which I have volunteered for the last eight years, offers free weekly programs such as gardening, storytime, art sessions and free annual holiday parties. We strive support park staff in improving Commercial Park at 1845 W. Rice St. plus three local playlots; Snowberry (Huron & Wolcott), Superior (at Hoyne) and Honore (just north of Iowa). While Commercial has a new playground as of 2008, the three pocket parks need help. Please give back to your community by attending and sharing show details with anyone who wants to see an in...

Click for more photos by Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo from the Aug. 19 EVA summer barbecue on the 800 block of North Winchester. Thanks to food and drink contributors — Dominick's Finer Foods, Roots Handmade Pizza, Three Floyds Brewing Co. and your neighbors — to the bounce house from the city and to the visitors who stopped by and said they wished they lived in a neighborhood like ours. More block party photos on Facebook