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Category Archives: Community Events
What is ARO- Chicago’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance?
*This information does not replace the counsel of an attorney. There are a number of pending changes to the ordinance being considered by the Chicago City Council and substantive pieces of even this Q and A may be modified or nullified as a result. Refer to the City Clerk of Chicago/ Housing for the most recent ordinance.
What is the Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO)?
The ARO is designed to economically blend rental or owner occupied market rate developments to allow for occupancy by qualified individuals or families at an affordable rate. It impacts new or existing residential developments which add 10 or more units and require new zoning, city land purchase or city financial assistance.
How is affordability defined?
Affordability is defined in a number of ways. For rental, housing that is affordable means a household earning up to 60% of the area median income. For owner occupied housing, housing that is affordable means an applicant earns up to 100% of the AMI. This changes if the subject RENTAL property is funded by TIF (Tax Increment Financing). In that case the AMI drops to 50%; and for owner occupied it drops to 80% of AMI. Units are required to remain affordable for 30 years. If the owner occupies the unit for a continuous period of 30 years the city will release the affordable housing agreement.
Getting one of these “affordable” apartments is not easy and not everyone can qualify. It is possible to live in a “luxury building” in a $2000 1 bedroom apartment for under $900! BUT, you must have great credit, usually above 675 and make under $35,000 a year. – and these figures will vary from building to building.
The demand for affordable apartments is off the charts and not nearly enough inventory to keep up with the demand. This is a complex topic and always changing. Same goes for the proposed rent control bills.
I will try to cover more on the topic, in the near future!
People Who Don’t Pick Up Their Dog’s Poop!
They are coming to get you!
and your little dog!
An idea that is catching on around the globe! And in Chicago, some landlords are now requiring that your dog be registered with PooPrints.
You simply swab your dog’s mouth and submit the swab so the DNA can be logged into a main registry. PooPrints pioneered the science of DNA Waste Management over 10 years ago, and has been leading the industry ever since.
PooPrints ensures residents pick up their dogs’ waste by using the dog’s DNA to identify those that have not. Once residents are informed they can be identified by their unscooped dog waste, they pick up. It’s that simple.
World of Chocolate Benefit Nov 30
Dishing Indulgence: Chicago’s Premier
World AIDS Day Event Returns
Annual Holiday Gala Raises Funds and HIV Awareness
for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) invites Chicagoans to the World of Chocolate gala, Chicago’s premier World AIDS Day event, on Friday, Nov. 30 at Revel Fulton Market. Guests will enjoy the delicious signature creations of chocolatiers and chefs from over 23 of Chicago’s hottest restaurants, hotels and bakeries competing to win the best sweet and savory bites, as well as craft cocktails, with a panel of celebrity judges selecting the night’s best conceptions.
In addition to sampling each establishment’s creation, guests will enjoy a light buffet, specialty craft cocktails, open bar, music, a raffle and punchboard with a diverse offering of spectacular prizes.
AFC will also be partnering with Walgreens Boots Alliance in an effort to make this an eco-friendly and zero waste to landfill evening by challenging participating
“Our guests expressed great excitement surrounding last year’s International Affair theme,” explained Edward Wagner, AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Chief External Relations Officer. “Recognizing the global impact that HIV has had, the international community must continue working together to honor those we’ve lost, ensure those living with HIV thrive, and strive to create a world where new HIV cases are rare.”
In commemoration of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, this year’s signature celebration honors the local, national and international progress the HIV/AIDS community has made to end the epidemic. The movement has observed the Dec. 1 date as a global effort to increase public awareness, while promoting HIV related programming and dialogue. Launched in 1988, the global event followed an international summit among health leaders who saw the need for a larger discussion on HIV/AIDS in every country.
Funds raised through World of Chocolate support AFC’s work to end new cases of HIV in Chicago and beyond. Proceeds from the event will help AFC advance its mission, which includes:
· Supporting efforts to house more than 1,000 Chicagoans each year.
· Providing more than 5,000 clients with case management services.
· Training hundreds of medical professionals about PrEP.
· Empowering AFC to provide policy leadership in state and federal health equity matters
· Collaborating with people and partners across the state to achieve Getting to Zero Illinois, an ambitious plan to end new HIV transmissions in Illinois by 2030
Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, 6 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Revel Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
TICKETS: For more information and to reserve tickets, call 312-334-0935 or visit chocolate.aidschicago.org
General Admission: $145 (includes one event ticket)
Red Ribbon Ticket: $245 (includes one event ticket, exclusive VIP entrance with a specialty cocktail, private bar and lounge access) – VIP Mile High Club Tix
Bittersweet Bliss Ticket Package: $900 (includes four event tickets, VIP access, name recognition on event website and electronic program)
Chocolate Ecstasy Ticket Package: $2,000 (includes ten event tickets, VIP access, name recognition on event website and electronic program)
About AFC
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases. AFC envisions a world in which people living with HIV and related chronic diseases will thrive, and new HIV infections will be rare. Learn more at aidschicago.org.
Iconic ALLEY store in Lakeview to Close
A mainstay of Chicago’s punk scene, The Alley, is slated to close at the end of the month. The Lake View shop, which added a cafe in the spring, has served the community for more than three decades.
Owner Mark Thomas said he has ongoing health issues that make it hard to run a business.
“This is not the end of The Alley, as we will continue our legacy ‘online,'” Thomas said in a media release. “I will continue to search for a younger, healthier partner to carry on this strong, loved brand, hopefully in brick and mortar retail.”
Over 40 Years the store was headquarters for Counter Culture-Leather, Footwear, Jewelry, Belt Buckles Tshirts, Goth, Punk, Alt, Metal, and Motorcycle products.
Thomas has inspired other entrepreneurs with his success story: when he was 17 years old, he bought a $1,725 cashier check with money that was supposed to be for college, and purchased a jewelry casting business that he operated out of the trunk of his car. His success burgeoned from there.
“Mark has served on many community boards throughout Lakeview East and Chicago in his time here,” The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce said in a newsletter. “His young dreams of becoming a successful business owner came true as he went on to found The Alley, Taboo Tabou, The Music Factory, The Art Colony, Blue Havana, and more.”
Thomas will be hosting a “Funeral Party” on Sunday, Oct. 21, with giveaways and discounts up to 50 percent off.
3221 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
source – Patch.com
Best Holiday Light Displays in Chicago Area
The Logan Square home above might be the only seasonal wonder of the world. Every winter, dating back to 1983, owner Frank Lopez has put up a Christmas light display—complete with a miniature, moving Ferris wheel with stuffed animal riders—that casts a glow over the whole 2500 block of West Logan Boulevard.
“The reason I do it is because I see so many people, so many kids, they pass by over here… and I have music on, and I see all their smiles,” Lopez told Chicagoist. “I enjoy that.”
His home electric bill for a holiday season, he added, can reach a little over $1,000. Read More here.
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Butch McGuire’s
Each year, this Division Street bar gets COMPLETELY decked out in holiday decor. Complete with model trains and thousands of shiny LED lights, Butch McGuire’s is a great spot to pop in for a festive drink. Even when it gets packed with the typical Division Street crowd, this Irish pub has an old soul. Antique beer paraphernalia and model ships hang from the ceiling, framed paintings of Chicagoans past dot the walls and beers are served in frosted glass mugs. Well worth a stop by and have a drink!
Winter WonderFest
Navy Pier’s annual indoor winter carnival returns with activities that include a toboggan tunnel, winter mini golf and a 15-foot “snow tubing” hill. Returning attractions include the Blackhawks ice-skating rink and various carnival rides. Bring your family for a nice and toasty winter wonderland. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo: Free light display nightly plus festive activities like photos with Santa, 3D displays, holiday gift shopping, live ice-sculpture carving and free crafts for kids on certain nights at the Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. Presented by ComEd and PowerShares QQQ By Invesco. Hours: 4:30 to 9 p.m. every night through Saturday, Dec. 23, and again from Dec. 26 to Jan. 7. Check the website for a full list of ZooLights events.
Elsewhere from Aurora to Naperville to Wheaton – all have light displays worth checking out!
Famous Fido No Kill Shelter
Home.
At Holiday time, we get misty-eyed about the concept ofHome. Although everything may not work out so great in reality, we still are very aware of how it should be. Every family member should have a sense of belonging. Should feel warm, well-fed, relaxed and protected. Should feel true joy and true love. These satisfying feelings should waft through the Home along with the wonderful smells from the emanating from the kitchen.
Goblin, shown drifting off to sleep above, is now experiencing all the comforts of Home. His adopter was totally charmed by his long lean body and his bad-boy attitude. His holiday season will be spectacular. Adorable poodle Hooty, shown below leaving Famous Fido for his new Forever Home, lucked out in time for Thanksgiving.
But sometimes Home is not possible in the traditional sense. Your chosen family might be a group of friends instead. But that is Home because there is love and the group has created its own traditions. In the same way, cats and dogs who have special needs or who are terminally ill, may not have high adoption potential. But it is possible that they still have a true Home. At Famous Fido, we make every effort to provide that Home environment in our sanctuary for those in hospice care. Hogan and Sheena, shown below, did not make it to this Thanksgiving. But while they lived they were loved and had good medical care and warm cozy quarters with lots of room to move about and enjoy toys and cat towers or doggie beds and their favorite foods. They knew they were Home and protected.
To provide for this 9,000 SF sanctuary and for high-cost veterinary care, Famous Fido depends on the generous support of our donors. Please help us continue our efforts. Support us by clicking on the DONATE NOW button and remember us on Giving Tuesday, November 28th.
Halloween in Chicago
Redfin rates Chicago #3 Best City for Halloween!
Spooky Score: 9 out of 13
City Walk Score: 78
Chicagoans love when autumn rolls in over Lake Michigan and relieves the city of the summer heat, and it celebrates by throwing a weeks-long Halloween celebration with all kinds of events. Chicagoween at Franken Plaza — known as Daley Plaza the rest of the year — hosts movie nights, live performances and costume contests, and parks across the city are home to pumpkin patches and haunted houses. Land lovers should check out the Northalsted Halloween Parade, and those who aren’t afraid of a haunted sea voyage will love one of Navy Pier’s haunted cruise options.
Things to Do / Places to See: Oriental Theatre, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery and Pond, 2122 North Clark Street (location of the Valentine’s Day Massacre), Drake Hotel, Haunted Halloween Ball at Congress Plaza Hotel, Old Town Tatu, Halloween Parade on North Halsted, House of Torment, Six Flags Fright Fest, Chicago Hauntings Tour Company, Wateriders Ghosts and Gangsters Kayak Tour, Race of the Dead, Franken Plaza/Chicagoween, Pumpkin Patches and More
Extra Spooky: Few cities on our list have as many haunted locations as Chicago, so if you’re looking for the thrill of a lifetime with a good, old-fashioned ghost hunt, head over to Chi-Town. Explore the Oriental Theatre, where more than 600 victims were engulfed in flames in 1903; stay a night in the Drake Hotel, where the heartbroken spirit of a young woman wanders the halls; or work with the paranormal investigators of Chicago Ghost Investigations to communicate with the other side in a warehouse once occupied by Al Capone.
The Saturday night before Halloween is when all the big parties happen all over Chicagoland. Expect it to take longer to get an Uber, Lyft or Taxi! PLAN AHEAD!
The Northalsted Halloween Parade is ranked one of the 10 Best Halloweens in the US by Fodor’s Travel Guide. The Annual event is free for spectators and participants. Enter the costume contest to win great prizes!
A one-of-a-kind event in Chicago, this parade features one of the most iconic costumed populations of all – drag queens! (All in Halloween attire, of course).
Once mainly an LGBT celebration, now joining them along the parade route are thousands of adults, as well as kids and pets, also in costume, and tons of spectators. If you want to join the parade itself, be sure to register. Otherwise, spectating is free!
Getting In: Admission to the Northalsted Halloween Parade is free.
