By Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo Gather your team now for the East Village Association's second library fundraiser, a Sept. 25 charades competition. Teams of four will “act out” book titles without speaking, while other members of their team try quickly to guess the title. “West Town Literary Charades Madness” runs from 6 to 9pm at Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. The final four teams, with the fastest completion times, compete for the crown of 2014 West Town Champions. Winners will receive prizes from local businesses and sponsors, plus bragging rights for the year. Proceeds from this evening’s event will be directed to future programming at the West Town Branch Library. Event proceeds help library staff offer free programming that would not be possible without local fundraising efforts. This year’s programming goals includes expansion of a children’s chess program that teaches beginners and pairs intermediate and expert players to challenge one another. The branch plans ...

A page lists building permits issued in and near East Village. East Village Association board minutes for Aug. 11, 2014, submitted by Catherine Garypie CONSTRUCTION DATABASE Property purchases, architect discussions, permit applications: All happen very fast ... faster than neighborhood associations can keep up. Steven Vance, a programmer and Streetsblog Chicago blogger, developed a database of construction activity at licensedchicagocontractors.com . Vance gave a presentation with Daniel Ronan, program coordinator at the National Public Housing Museum , and Ryan Lakes, an architect at Solomon Cordwell Buenz . The database includes building violations and permits. The idea is to give more power to residents. The site's adding Special Service Area boundaries, and may track Tax Increment Financing dollars spent. EVA boundaries have been added to the database. A subscription service provides weekly e-mails and allows tracking of an individual company (developer, owner, expedite...

Work to remove a tree pit July 1 for a sidewalk cafe was halted at the Red Square spa. East Village Association board minutes for July 14, 2014, submitted by Catherine Garypie 1819 W DIVISION (SMITHFIELD/TRADER JOE’S) TJ's is no longer seeking to land at this property. What's next for the property? Smithfield wants B-3-3 zoning. EVA position is that the zoning should be B-3-2. The upzone to B-3-3 that EVA agreed to several years ago was conditional. Neighborhood residents should call the city & report it if weeds/garbage observed at the lot. Reasons why TJ's pulled out? It's unclear. School community concerns and lack of involvement by TJ's seemed to be deciding factors. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE A draft ordinance will target demolition permit delay. Several aldermen support it. Will move demolition delay from 6 months to 9 months. Aldermen want to learn more about equalizing the playing field via permitting. EVA is putting draft ordinance toget...

By Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo The East Village Association will raise funds for the Chicago Public Library Sept. 25 at Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. This year’s event is a one-night charades competition. Teams of four will “act out” book titles without speaking, while other members of their team try to guess the book title. The objective is for teams to guess the titles as quickly as possible. The final four teams, with the fastest completion times, compete for the crown of 2014 West Town Library Champions. Winners will receive prizes from local businesses and sponsors, plus bragging rights for the next year. Proceeds will be directed to future programming at the West Town Branch Library. Mark your calendars, and watch for upcoming posts (here and on the East Village Association Facebook page ) on how to register a team or purchase a ticket. West Town Summer Learning Challenge More than 100 guests celebrated the West Town branch library's Summer Learning Challenge pro...

East Village Association minutes for July 7, 2014, submitted by Catherine Garypie Aug. 3 EVA Block Party 800 block of North Winchester. Contributions needed - food, drink, etc. Planning, Preservation & Development Fifield property at 1822-1850 W Chicago Ave. Alderman has been in negotiations. Owner-developer has an agreement about upzoning. McKnight asked for details. There will be a number of affordable units. This is contrary to EVA expectations and recommendations. McKnight will obtain more details. Trader Joe's update. Board met with Smithfield on May 12 and voted "not supporting" current proposal as presented. Questions sent on May 23. Smithfield has not yet responded. EVA Board has decided to send letter to alderman regarding TJ's development. There's now a zoning change notice on the fence at the property. Red Square tree pit. Ongoing problems with the tree pits (fencing gone, trees bricked in, tree pit being used for storage space for ...

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 .