Perspective view of 1822-50 W. Chicago Ave., September 2012 East Village Association board meeting minutes, Nov. 12, 2012 Submitted by Meghan Quinn Holiday Party 2012 Directors would like to have it on Dec. 3, the first Monday night in December. [Date and details are not final at this posting.] Event will be potluck and we will try to get 2 or 3 restaurants to sponsor or provide food. Neal McKnight will ask 3 Floyds to donate beer. Next meeting’s speakers Business Minute: Meghan Quinn will ask Pure Vibes Fitness and Inside Home for Jan. 7 membership meeting. Idea floated to have five or so businesses at a time at each meeting to represent areas of the neighborhood, i.e. Chicago Avenue Business Minute. Guest Speaker: McKnight will contact U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley ’s office to see if someone is available. Another idea would be to have a speaker from city Housing and Economic Development to discuss the department's vision.

Renegade Craft Fair vendors will set up shop in Pulaski Park on Dec. 1 & 2. Christmas shoppers in the Unwrap Chicago program pledge to put their money in the local economy. Its website eatdrinkbuylocal.org promotes bazaars and merchants in Wicker Park (north of Division Street), West Town (south of Division) and other Chicago communities. Local events include the Renegade Craft Holiday Market , Dec. 1 and 2 in the Pulaski Park fieldhouse , 1419 W. Blackhawk St. The Wicker Park Bucktown and West Town chambers of commerce will shuttle shoppers to the craft fair from 11am to 6pm, with Division Street stops for Smoke Daddy at Wood Street and Gomez Shell at Damen Avenue. A percentage of sales from stores in the Unwrap WPB holiday guide will be donated to local public schools. The Wicker Park Bucktown chamber lists more events in its recent newsletter, including the Christy Webber Landscaping Winter Fest on Saturday, the Division Street opening of Steve Quick Jewelers on Thursday...

East Village Association membership meeting minutes November 5, 2012 Submitted by Meghan Quinn Business Minute Layne Jackson, an East Village resident, artist and business owner for 11 years, spoke about new art studio, classroom and gallery at 1112 N. Ashland. Teaching is a substantial part of what she does and community work is an important part of her practice. She also teaches an after-school art program at La Salle II. Jackson sponsors students from the neighborhood who enjoy art but don’t have many opportunities to learn it due to many school art programs being cut. She would love help from others who would like to sponsor children as well.

Mention the local ZIP code by phone at 773-342-4141 or at the Vittum Theater box office, 1012 N. Noble St., to get $10 tickets for the current Adventure Stage Chicago children's theater production. The Midwest premiere of Six Stories Tall, a play about mermaids, monsters and spray paint, is recommended for ages 8 and older and runs through Dec. 13. Marco Ramiez's play is inspired by Hispanic folklore. Six Stories Tall features a live DJ and incorporates influences from comic books, video games, hip-hop music and mythology. The Adventure Stage Chicago production marks only the second time all six tales have been staged. The play debuted at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center in 2008 as Mermaids, Monsters and the World Painted Purple. It includes the award-winning short play "I Am Not Batman" from the 2007 Humana Festival in Louisville, Ky. "The gift that Marco Ramirez has given us with Six Stories Tall is the joy derived from the power of youthful imagination an...

By Susan Nusbaum Project coordinator, Chicago Public Schools The Field of Hope is becoming a reality. As you might already know, we have developed plans to build a community park, our Field of Hope, at Wells High School, for the benefit of our students and the greater West Town community. Currently, our students play soccer and baseball on a concrete lot behind the school. Many of our neighbors visit this open space to walk their dogs and play with their children. However, we know that we can beautify this area and make it a real community gathering place. The new park will include a state-of-the-art baseball and soccer field, as well as an outdoor movie screen, an adaptable field to facilitate little league baseball and girls’ softball, a toddler playground, and dog park. Both our students and the community will benefit greatly from this endeavor.

Eckhart Park supporters plan a happy hour and brainstorming session on park improvements from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Lush Wine & Spirits, 1412 W. Chicago Ave. Organizer Nick Fotis of the Eckhart Park Advisory Council plans to post updates on a Facebook page .

Principal Ernesto Matias meets with East Village Association members Monday with the start of another challenging year for Wells High School. When Matias last spoke to EVA in May 2012 he discussed plans to improve teacher training and plans for a Field of Hope baseball and soccer field. The Field of Dreams now is set to break ground next year, and project coordinator, Susan Nusbaum will join Matias at 7 pm in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott.