Layne Jackson has relocated her art studio to 1112 N. Ashland Ave. from the Miller Lumber storefront, which is being razed for a new apartment building . Jackson's artwork turns snapshot poses into canvases that suggest the nature of memory. The painter opens the East Village Association's November meeting with an introduction to her new gallery. EVA meets at 7 pm Nov. 5 in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Guest speaker is Wells High School principal Ernesto Matias. Born in Dallas, Jackson has lived in a 19th-century house in East Village since 2001 and has conducted classes here since 2008. Jackson created and organized the East Village Arts Walk, with more than 60 artists participating from 2002 through 2006. Jackson runs after-school art programs at LaSalle II, 1148 N. Honore St., and free classes for teens at Marwen , 833 N. Orleans St. She also has taught at the Latin School of Chicago and in the Chicago Public Schools, leading mural projects for more than 600...

Storefronts and 63 apartments are proposed for the empty lot at 1822-50 W. Chicago Ave. East Village Association board minutes for Oct. 8, 2012 Submitted by Meghan Quinn Next meeting’s speakers For the Nov. 5 membership meeting, Wells High School Principal Ernesto Matias will be guest speaker. Artist Layne Jackson will present the business minute; she recently relocated her art shop from the Miller Lumber building to Ashland Avenue between Cortez and Haddon. Community Meeting - Liquor Moratoria There will be a community group discussion regarding the lifting of liquor moratoria on Ashland. The moratoria affect liquor stores, convenience stores etc. Restaurants can sell liquor regardless of a moratorium. The meeting will take place at 6 pm Oct. 17 in the Bedford, 1612 W. Division St.

Happy Village is decked out for Halloween at EVA's October meeting. Tom LaPorte Minutes of Oct. 1, 2012 membership meeting  Submitted by Stephen Rynkiewicz Basement Flooding Partnership Tom LaPorte, the city’s assistant water management commissioner, described added services the city will give blocks in which 70% of owners agree to participate. They include home visits from a city inspector, sewer and catch-basin inspections and flood-protection advice from city and outside experts. Participation is voluntary, is not required to get other city services and does not bind homeowners to take further steps. EVA members agreed to work with the city on this new initiative.

An architect's rendering shows proposed units west of Tecalitlan Restaurant, 1814 W. Chicago. A developer will unveil plans Monday for 63 apartments above first-floor shops at 1822-50 W. Chicago Ave.  Representatives of 1850 FCR LLC, a group led by Fifield Realty Corp., will make a presentation to the East Village Association board at 6:30 p.m. in Leona's Restaurant, 1936 W. Augusta Blvd.

A 1st Ward community meeting Oct. 17 will discuss lifting the Ashland Avenue liquor moratorium between Augusta Boulevard and Division Street. Ald. Proco Joe Moreno indicated without elaboration that he believes the community's interests can be protected. An online petition seeks to retain the freeze on new package-goods licenses. At its June 4 meeting East Village Association members unanimously confirmed their support of the moratoria. Garden Gourmet Market at 1130 N. Ashland Ave. had sought the vote. EVA also fielded inquiries for licenses at 1555 W. Division St. and 1054 N. Ashland Ave. The Division Street venture was later abandoned, and the space is now leased by the Villa shoe-store chain. Moreno will hold the hearing at 6 pm in The Bedford supper club, 1612 W. Division St.

Blocks hit by basement flooding can ask for a special city inspection. The Basement Flooding Partnership involves a computer analysis, sewer and catch basin cleaning and advice for homeowners. Assistant Water Management Commissioner Tom LaPorte will describe the procedure at the Oct. 1 East Village Association meeting, starting at 7 p.m. in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Leslie Proudfoot of Energy Impact Illinois will suggest home improvements that qualify for soon-to-expire energy upgrade rebates . EVA members will discuss the upcoming City Council vote to charge a Special Service Area tax to property owners on Damen Avenue from Augusta Boulevard to Huron Street. The city's Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the tax district at 10 am Oct. 12 at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. The West Town SSA is an expansion of the current business-service district administered by the West Town Chamber of Commerce. An EVA group evaluating the plan will report at the Oct. 1 ...