It Ain't All Big Hair and Cadillacs

Update on the 7%...

It was passed by a majority in the Senate on Friday, February 23, 2007. It has been sent over to the House...the one that Madigan rules...again an up hill battle.

The Senate (SB13) bill raised the exemption amount from $20,000 to $60,000,gave some financial aide to returning vet's from Iraqi and Afghanistan, and makes a senior exemption automatic instead of having seniors renewing every year (what did they think - they'd get younger?)

TRAC will keep you posted on the progress in the House...and calls to action!

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

Please OPPOSE Legislation to Increase the State Real Estate Transfer Tax

Recently, two bills regarding the state transfer tax were introduced in the Illinois General Assembly, and IAR strongly opposes both bills-House Bill 728 and Senate Bill 445. These bills increase the state's transfer tax on a graduated basis. The current tax is $1 per thousand of property sale price; these bills increase the rate in the following manner:

For properties with a sales price of $500,000 to $1 million, the rate would be $3 per $1000;

For properties with a sales price of $1 million to $3 million, the rate would be $7 per $1,000;

For properties with a sales price of $3 million or more, the rate would be $10 per $1000.

For properties with sales prices less than $500,000, the tax would be slightly lowered from the current rate of $1 per $1000 to 80 cents per $1000.

The additional $99 million that is raised from this proposal would be allocated to the state's open lands acquisition and affordable housing trust funds-the same allocation that currently exists for revenue from the transfer tax.

We need your help in defeating this transfer tax increase! Please CALL your state legislator and urge opposition to this proposal. See attached list for the names of all legislators and their district phone numbers. (Both bills increase the state transfer tax in the same manner.)

We oppose this tax for the following reasons:

It's a tax increase on property. Property owners already pay more than fair share to fund municipal and state governments. In addition to the regular property tax payments, property owners pay transfer taxes at the local level.
Most home rule units in Illinois already collect a transfer tax; this state transfer tax is on top of those taxes. In some cities(Chicago included) the total transfer taxes would add up to 2% of the value of the property.

Because of the strong real estate market in the last 10 years, the transfer tax has brought in a significant amount of revenue-an amount that increases each year. Between 1996 and 2006, the revenue has increased by 300%! That's without ever increasing the rate; it's all natural revenue growth.

The affordable housing and open space funds were recently swept (in 2005) for other state budgetary purposes. This proposal amounts to a general tax increase.

While this proposal might be portrayed as a tax on "the wealthy," it's really a tax on small businesses, farms, apartment buildings and middle-class home sellers.

In some parts of the state, such a huge transfer tax could cause disinvestment, particularly with small businesses in areas that already have high property tax rates. Also, the rental housing stock, particularly in Cook County, would shrink as a result of this proposal. This is counter-productive in any effort to retain affordable rental housing.

In 2005, a new recordation fee of $10 on all property transfers went into effect. That revenue is for affordable rental housing, and now the same housing advocates are back asking for more money for sellers to pay.

While this proposal does include a small lowering of the tax on properties under $500,000, the state legislature can re-visit that rate anytime in the future, make a "slight increase"-back to the $1 rate--and that increase could be hard to stop.

The bottom line: Legislators should not turn to property owners who are already overburdened in this state with property taxes and transfer taxes.

Please contact your state legislators and urge them to vote "NO" on these proposals!Click the link below to log in and send your message:http://votervoice.net/target.asp?id=ilar:12199933

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2007Contact: Mary Schaefer, Ann Londrigan217/529-2600

Illinois Condo Sales Close Second Best Year on Record in 2006; Fourth Quarter Statewide Median Price at $199,900

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Condominium sales help bolster an Illinois housing market in transition throughout 2006, while fourth-quarter sales figures were down compared to the same period a year ago. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS (IAR) fourth quarter report, total home sales (which include single-family homes and condominiums) totaled 35,186, down 16.0 percent from 41,883 home sales in the fourth quarter of 2005. For the year, total sales were down 8.9 percent in 2006 with 167,860 homes sold compared to 184,199 sales in 2005.

The year-end Illinois median home sale price for 2006 was $203,900, up 1.5 percent from $200,900 in 2005. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less. The fourth quarter 2006 median home sale price was $199,900, down a slight 0.5 percent from $201,000 a year earlier.

“The Illinois housing market reported a modest slowdown in sales compared to other regions of the country which had sharper declines due to overheated market conditions. Although local markets will vary, REALTORS are reporting signs of the market picking up and are looking for slow, steady gains in both home sales and price appreciation in 2007,” said Robert Zoretich, president of the Illinois Association of REALTORS. “The homeownership rate in Illinois reached 70.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006 and is slightly ahead of the national rate of 68.9 percent. Conditions in Illinois are promising for long-term demand going forward.”

The fourth-quarter interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.29 percent in the North Central Region, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. It was down from 6.61 percent in the third quarter of 2006 and 6.32 percent from fourth quarter 2005.

Sales and price information is generated from a survey of Multiple Listing Service sales reported by 35 participating Illinois REALTOR local boards and associations. The Chicagoland PMSA, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, includes the counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

In the Chicagoland Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA), total home sales (including single-family and condominiums) were down 19.5 percent in the fourth quarter to 24,115, compared to 29,942 home sales in 2005. The median home sale price in the Chicagoland PMSA increased 0.8 percent to $245,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $243,000 in the same period one year ago. For the year, total home sales in the Chicagoland PMSA reached 116,463 in 2006, down 12.6 percent from 133,305 sales in 2005. The 2006 median sale price in the Chicagoland PMSA was $248,000, up 2.9 percent from $241,000 in 2005.

A sample of counties in the Chicagoland PMSA that saw increases in median home sale prices in the fourth quarter include De Kalb, up 4.3 percent to $182,500; DuPage, up 2.6 percent to $273,000; Kane, up 3.2 percent to $229,000; and Will, up 2.8 percent to $220,950.

A sample of counties around the state that saw median home sale price increases in the fourth quarter include Adams, up 1.4 percent to $87,750; Boone, up 9.3 percent to $187,950; Champaign, up 3.5 percent to $144,893; Kankakee, up 3.4 percent to $128,750; Macon, up 4.4 percent to $88,750; Madison, up 7.5 percent to $121,450; Saint Clair, up 8.3 percent to $130,000; Tazewell, up 2.6 percent to $117,000; and Winnebago, up 4.8 percent to $129,900.

Condominiums

The Illinois condominium market showed continued strength in 2006 with 52,787 units sold, the second highest annual level of condo sales reported by IAR and off just 7.6 percent from the record level of 57,155 condos sold in 2005. Fourth quarter condo sales across the state were down 12.9 percent to 11,156 condos sold compared to 12,804 in 2005.
In the Chicago PMSA, condo sales were down 13.4 percent to 10,635 units sold during the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 12,287 in the same period of 2005. The median price for a condominium in Illinois in the fourth quarter of 2006 was $212,500, up 3.4 percent from $205,500 in the fourth quarter of 2005. For the year, the median condo price statewide was up 4.6 percent to $214,368 compared to $205,000 in 2005.

In the Chicagoland PMSA, the fourth quarter median price for condominiums was $217,000, up 3.3 percent from $210,000 in the same period in 2005. For the year, the Chicago PMSA median price of a condo increased 4.3 percent to $218,900 compared to $209,800 in 2005.

“Over the last several years we have witnessed the rise in popularity and availability of the condo for all types of homebuyers in both urban and suburban areas, and price appreciation for condos has remained strong throughout the year,” said Zoretich, broker-owner of Zoretich Realty Group in Chicago. “Homeownership is a safe, secure way to build long-term wealth. REALTORS have the experience to help sellers protect their investment and help buyers build theirs.”

The Illinois Association of REALTORS is a voluntary trade association whose 60,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the Illinois Association of REALTORS works to protect the rights of private property owners in the state by recommending and promoting legislation that safeguards and advances the interest of real property ownership.

Rogers Park Slumlord Brought to Justice

Dear Neighbor,

I'm pleased to report that notorious Rogers Park slumlord Michael Kakvand pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to fraud stemming from a series of fraudulent condominium conversions involving 30 Chicago apartment buildings, including 12 buildings in the 49th Ward. The successful conclusion of the Kakvand saga is powerful testament to the fortitude of our neighborhood and the strength of community policing. A Chicago Sun-Times account of the guilty plea is below.

The story highlights the fraudulent activity, which consisted of setting up phony condo conversions, selling the "converted" condominiums to "straw" buyers, and then defrauding banks of mortgage loans. Kakvand exercised no tenant screening and did little to upkeep the buildings. The buildings became some of the worse sources of crime in the neighborhood.

Tenants were victimized by the poor conditions and many were forced to leave their homes when lenders foreclosed on their units. Other Kakvand buildings remained vacant and began to fall into disrepair, with broken windows and entry locks, overgrown grass and shrubbery and accumulating trash. Many became home to squatters, creating a serious public safety concern for the neighborhood. Kakvand's scheme was first uncovered in 1999 by Mary Jane Haggerty at the Rogers Park Community Council, who noticed that units in several of Kakvand's buildings had changed hands multiple times in a very short time period, and that the same individuals were purchasing numerous units at his various buildings.

Mary Jane contacted my office, and together we began to look more closely at Kakvand's buildings. It soon became apparent that some fraudulent scheme was at work. My office notified the authorities, and I immediately convened a task force of neighborhood residents, community organizations and city officials to explore the extent of the looming problem, and arrive at solutions.

The group consisted of my Chief-of-staff Kevin Cosgrove, Police District police officers, representatives from the Community Policing Office, the 49th Mary Jane Haggerty, attorneys form the Gang and Drug House Division of the City's Law Department, 24th Ward Streets and Sanitation Ward Superintendent, representatives of block clubs, and several 49th Ward residents. Eventually, the Task Force expanded to include the Community Investment Corporation, representatives from Banks that held mortgages on these properties, responsible developers and landlords, and outside attorneys with expertise in condominium and property transfer law.

At my behest, the Chicago Law Department initiated cases against Kakvand and his partners. We also shared information about Kakvand's fraudulent practices with State and Federal authorities. City attorneys obtained court orders to vacate and board up properties that were illegally occupied and not properly secured. The Department of Streets and Sanitation devoted extra resources to keeping the areas around these properties from becoming eyesores, and members of the 24th Police District devoted extra personnel to ensure that the community was protected from criminal activities.

The case was complicated by the fact that it involved 153 individual apartment units with mortgages spread throughout the country. In order to secure these properties it was necessary to control at least half of the units in each of the properties. The task force worked with representatives of the various banks, and with responsible developers. The banks were very cooperative with my task force once they realized what had occurred. Over the course of one year, we made sure the buildings were acquired by responsible landlords and developers, and now all of Kakvand’s former buildings are neighborhood assets.

One prominent real estate attorney who donated time to work with my task force estimated it might take up to three years to properly secure the properties. We accomplished that goal in under a year. Mr. Kakvand and his associates were forced to spend several weeks in jail, pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines, and perform community service work clearing garbage with employees of the Department of Streets and Sanitation. After the task force disbanded, I continued to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office and with the FBI to ensure that Kakvand and his associates were charged with federal crimes.

Thanks to those efforts, Kakvand now faces the possibility of serving as much as 30 years in prison. Our successful effort against Kakvand is a prime example of community policing at its best, with all branches of government and community residents and organizations working together. We rid our neighborhood of a notorious slumlord and brought him to justice.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Joe Moore

Guilty plea in mortgage scam (http://www.suntimes.com/business/254101,CST-FIN-fraud13.article )

February 13, 2007 BY MARY WISNIEWSKI

Business Reporter Mohammad "Mike" Taghie Kakvand, the ringleader in a mortgage scheme that resulted in abandoned Chicago apartment buildings, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday. Kakvand bought 33 apartment buildings in Rogers Park and on Chicago's South Side, but didn't renovate them, according to the indictment. Units were sold as rehabbed condos at inflated prices, using straw buyers who defaulted on $29 million in loans. The plot displaced renters and left decaying, crime-plagued buildings, according to community leaders. "There is no punishment too severe for Michael Kakvand," said Ald. Joe A. Moore (49th). "He preyed on our neighborhood, he took advantage of people, and the damage he did took years to unravel."

Kakvand, 54, of Park Ridge, wore an orange prison uniform as he entered a plea of guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge William Hibbler. He has been in custody since late 2005, when he was arrested in Canada after being on the run for more than a year. Also charged were Syed Ali Mohammed Razvi, a fugitive, and real estate appraisers Thomas M. Groh, Eric L. Dorsey and Britt J. Pierre, who have already pleaded guilty. The scheme took place between 1997 and 2004. According to the government, Kakvand would buy apartment buildings with the stated intention of converting them to condos. Then he and others recruited individuals to buy condos in the buildings. The buyers were promised they would not have to use their own money, and were offered at least $1,000 for each condo they agreed to buy.

Kakvand and others prepared false mortgage applications, listing incorrect job titles and incomes for the applicants, according to the government. False appraisals misrepresented the condition of the condos, making it seem they had been rehabbed. Relying on the false documents, lenders such as Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo issued loans on the condos. The money went to the defendants. Meanwhile the "buyers" defaulted, and the buildings became vacant. People who had rented apartments in the buildings suddenly found no one was collecting their rents, and they had to leave when lenders foreclosed on the units, according to

Mary Jane Haggerty, housing action program director at the Rogers Park Community Council. She started taking calls from angry renters in 1999, and the council became suspicious when it found that the same names bought up so many condos in troubled buildings. "You could go and look at these buildings and know that no person in their right mind would have paid condo prices," according to Haggerty, who said the units were being sold for up to $175,000. Moore said a building in the 7600 block of Greenview was the scene of "open and notorious" criminal activity. "It was a complete and total mess," Moore said. He said his office worked with community groups and the city to identify the lenders who owned the units and find legitimate developers to return the buildings to use. Haggerty said one of the continuing legacies of the scheme was the artificial inflation of home prices in Rogers Park and the related increase in property taxes. The scheme also decreased the amount of rental housing available. Kakvand has not yet worked out a sentencing agreement with the government.

The maximum sentence is 30 years in prison, plus fines and restitution. He will be sentenced May 9.

mwisniewski@suntimes.com

© Copyright 2007 Sun-Times News Group Visit the website of the 49th Ward

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The monthly report on January sales, which were down 17% over December and down 6% compared to January 2006.

Market time in January was down 2% over December but up 17% compared to a year earlier.For detailed charts on Month Over Month and Year Over Year: Go now to Market Overview.

Ric Cox, President & CEO Chicagocondosonline.com

Illinois homeownership at 70.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. homeownership rate reached 68.9 percent in the fourth quarter.

Regionally, the homeownership rate was 73 percent in the Midwest, 70.8 percent in the South, 65.3 percent in the Northeast, and 64.5 percent in the West. The homeownership rate for non-Hispanic whites was 76 percent, versus 49.5 percent for Hispanics and 48.2 percent for blacks, according to the Census.

BREAKING NEWS

Monday, January 29, 2007, President of the Senate, Emil Jones, announced the Senate's intention of "fast tracking" the 7% bill in the opening days of the Legislature, passing it with a majority and sending it over to the House. The content of the bill is important. It raises the "cap on the cap" from $20,000 to $60,000 and benefits service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This is the bill that the Senate passed last spring. This is also the bill that Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan buried in the Rules Committee.

Let's see if Speaker Madigan can be persuaded by our Representatives (call them), Governor Blagojevich and hopefully Mayor Daley, to pass this bill in time for it to be reflected on our 2 nd installment property tax bills. As Representative John Fritchey said recently, "The doomsday property tax clock is ticking. There is no need to wait until the 11th hour to pass this bill."

Both Houses gave us this relief back in 2004. Now it would appear that they are trying to take it away from us! Don't let that happen. Keep making those phone calls….

In a related move, Speaker Madigan issued his own press release with a letter to Assessor Houlihan asking for the NAMES, ADDRESSES, VALUE, AND PIN numbers for all of the taxpayers/homeowners in the entire county of Cook that received the maximum benefit from the 7%. He wants this information, according to him, to determine whether or not the 7% should be passed again.

A couple of questions come to mind:

1. Why does he need your name, your neighbors name…what is he going to do with these names? Who is going to see this "database"?

2. Why did he wait so long to ask for this information? He has known about this bill for almost a year now.

3. And the kicker is, he doesn't want to pay for this Freedom of Information Request because of WHO HE IS…an elected official that is asking for a freebie from our county government that is already swimming in debt. Go figure.

We will keep you informed as this bill moves through the Legislature which starts February 6, 2007.

Look for our calls to action

Transportation

You Can Help Chart a Better Future for Red Line Stations The Edgewater CTA Red Line Stations are one of the primary transportation gateways into the community and have a significant impact on the livelihood of the surrounding business districts. These Stations have the potential to be better assets for our community and businesses, and we would like to realize their maximum positive potential. In order to chart the path to this better future, the Edgewater Development Corporation (EDC) is staging community design Charrettes focusing on the Granville, Thorndale, Bryn Mawr and Berwyn Redline stations.

The Charrette process harnesses the talents and energies of all interested parties in a collaborative process to create a viable plan. It consists of community workshops at which the Charrette Team presents pertinent concepts and design principles followed by a participant feedback session. After a series of presentations and feedback sessions, a final design plan will be presented that is based on the input gathered during the Charrettes.

The purpose of the Red Line Charrettes is to forge a vision for the future of these stations and the surrounding commercial districts. The Charrettes will address the actual design of the stations, safety at the stations, and the economic revitalization of the surrounding commercial district. EDC has engaged the University of Illinois at Chicago City Design Center and the Voorhees Center for Neighborhood Development to implement the Charrettes. These two organizations have a great deal of experience conducting community planning throughout Chicago.

The Charrette for the Granville and Thorndale stations will be held on Monday, March 5th from 7 – 9 p.m. The Charrette for the Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations will take place Monday, March 12th from 7 – 9 pm. Everyone interested in the project is encouraged to participate, but advance registration is required. To attend either of these charrettes, please call Adam Burck at 773-506-4016 or e-mail adamburck@edgewaterdev.org.

EDC thanks State Representative Harry Osterman for his leadership in securing the State funding for these Charrettes.

ECC Election Results

Edgewater Community Council welcomes new Board Members.

The following people were elected/ reelected to the ECC Board of Directors. They bring a lot of experience and will be a great asset to ECC.

Brenda Barr
Jim Byrne
Steve Bishop
Eileen Camacho
Terry Clerkin
Ann Comeau
Mark Joslyn
Jason Leichty
Ed McClane
Pat McKiernan
Troy McMillian
Joan Monroe
Sue Morales
Jim Ness
Barbara Piwowarski
Louise Rohr
Allen Stryczek

ECC General membership meeting is every third Tuesday of the month, all community members are welcome to attend, ECC also strongly encourages all its members to take part in one of our Committees.

Following is the list of current committees and chairmen. There may be changes in 2007.

Care for Real—Reggie Griffin

Oversees the operation of the ECC food and clothing assistance program. Committee meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at 6044 N. Broadway.

Edgewater Beautiful- Allen Stryczek

EB plans and coordinates volunteer beautification efforts and works with elected officials on beautification of the community. Edgewater Beautiful meets from 10 to 11 AM on the second Thursday of the month.

Education Committee—Helen Murtaugh

Coordinates efforts to improve and augment learning experiences within the 16 public and private schools as well as recreational facilities in Edgewater. Advocates for improvement in schools and links community members, parents, residents and merchants with schools. Meets third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Edgewater Library.

Housing—Joan Monroe

Works with ECC’s Housing Resource Center program to monitor housing concerns, provide advocacy in housing court, support good building management and remedy problem buildings. Committee meets every other month on the second Monday of the month at 6:30pm at 6044 N. Broadway.

Planning and Development— Jim Byrne

Provides community planning process, monitors new developments in Edgewater and encourages innovative solutions to problems. Committee meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at 6044 N. Broadway.

Safety— Louise Rohr

Works to improve safety in the entire Edgewater Community. Current major project of the committee is Thorndale Safety Initiative. Committee meets last Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at 6044 N. Broadway.

Finance—Sue Henning

Oversees financial planning bookkeeping, administration of the ECC.

Fund Raising—EdMcClane

Coordinates fundraising activities to raise a significant portion of ECC’s operational expenses. Main fundraising events are the fall fundraiser with major donor contributions, program ad book and silent auction and a spring fundraiser, this year in March at the Raven Theater.

Membership—Dawn Wyman

Works to increase new membership and retain current members. Meets last Monday of the month.

Executive Committee

Composed of the current officers and committee chairs, the committee develops resolutions and agendas for the Board Meetings, act as a personnel committee, and as the governing body between regular meetings of the Board of Directors. The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at 6044 N. Broadway.

February Calender of Events
Courtesy of Edgewater Community Council

Please post for your neighbors who do not have internet access.

AA and Al Anon meetings: North Shore Baptist Church, 5244 N. Lakewood, 773-728-4200: AA Sat. 10 am, 4 pm; Youth AA, Wed. 6:30 pm; AA/Alanon, Wed. 8 pm; Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Elmdale, 773-743-1800: Al Anon Fri. 10:15 am; St. Gertrude Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood: 773-561-5343: Al Anon Thurs. 7:30 pm, St. Ita’s Church,5500 N. Broadway, 773-561-7343 : AA Tue. 7 pm; Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster, 773-334-5609: AA Mediation, Tue. 7:45 pm, AA Thur. 7:45 pm, AA Fri. 7:30 pm, AA Sat. 7 pm, Women’s AA, Sun. 6 pm, Men’s AA Sun. 6 pm.; Church of the Atonement , 5749 N. Kenmore, 773- 271-2727: AA Mon: 8 am, 7pm;CA, 8 pm; NA Tue., 7:30 pm; AA Wed. 6 pm, AA Thurs. 7 pm, AA, Fri., 7 pm.

Chicago Public Library’s High Speed Wireless Internet System, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale. All you need is a wireless enabled laptop computer, tablet PC or PDA. Library’s network is open to all visitors and free of charge without filters. 312-744-0718

Neighborhood Walks are conducted every Monday by the EPIC Block Club and North Edgewater Beach Association. Cellular phones are used for 311 and 911 calls. Walks begin at 8:00 pm northeast corner of Thorndale and Broadway. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Information 773-381- 1349 Dog Walking/Safety Patrol, 6 pm, every Thursday, meet in front of Swift School, 5900 N. Winthrop,773-334-5609

Edgewater Historical Society Museum, Open every Saturday, 1-4 pm, 5358 N. Ashland, 773-506-4849

Sewing Classes Every Tuesday, 10 am –12 pm, 6044 N. Broadway, 773-381-1346

Teacher in the Library, Mon., Tue, Thur.,3:30-7:00 pm, Wed., 5:30 pm, Help with Homework, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale, 312- 744-0718

Continuing through March 3,“Stop Kiss” presented by Raven Theatre, 8:30 pm, Fri. & Sat., 3:30 pm, Sun., $15, Students/Seniors $12, 773-338-2177

Continuing through March 18, “Mother and Son : Nordine Sculptures and Painting”, Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark, Tue- Fri 10 am -4 pm, Sat.-Sun. 11 am-4 pm.; $4 adults, $3 Children/Students/Seniors.773-728-8111

Continuing through February 13, Former Edgewater Theater, Griffin Theatre, presents “LETTERS HOME: VOICES OF AMERICAN TROOPS FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS OF IRAQ, 7:30 pm Thursdays through Saturdays, 3 pm Sundays, Studio Theatre, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph, $20, students/Seniors, $15, 312-742- 8497

• 1 Northside Catholic Academy Middle School Open House, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, St. Ita’s School, 1220 W. Catalpa, 773-271-4310
  
• 1 ECC/EDC Planning/Development Committee Meeting, 7 pm, 6044 N. Broadway, 773-334- 5609
  
• 3 Your House Has A History , 10 am, Edgewater Historical Society, 5358 N. Ashland, How to research your home’s history, $50, also Feb. 10, Feb. 24, Call 773-506-4849 to reserve the class
  3 Saturday Morning Book Club, “Division Street”by Studs Terkel, 11 am, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale, book available at Library, 312-744- 0718
  
• 5 Edgewater Glen Association Monthly Open Meeting, 7 pm, 6044 N. Broadway, 773-334- 5609
  7 Community Policing Beat 2433 Meeting, 7 pm, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale, 773-334- 5609
  
• 7 Court Advocacy Training, 7:00pm , 5400 N. Lincoln, 773-381-1345
  
• 8 ECC Edgewater Beautiful Committee Meeting, 10 am. 6044 N. Broadway, 773-334-5609
  
• 10 Friends of Edgewater Library Meeting, 10 am, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale, 312-744- 0718
  
• 10 Families Together Cooperative Nursery School Open House 10 am-12 pm, 1500 W. Elmdale, 773-381- 1500, also Feb. 24
  
• 13 Senior Citizen Fair at the Broadway Armory, 9:00am– 12pm, get information about your community and other items of interest, for more information contact the office of State Rep. Harry Osterman, 5917 N. Broadway, 773-784-2008
  
• 13 Families Together Cooperative Nursery School Admissions Coffee, visit classrooms, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Elmdale, Reservations required, 773-381-1500, also Feb. 15
  
• 13 Women’s Book Discussion Group, “Warrior Poet: A Biography of Andre Lorde” by Alexis De Veaux, 7:30-9 :00 pm, Gerber/Hart Library,1127 W. Granville, 773-381-8030
  
• 14 Community Policing Beat 2012 Meeting, 7 pm, St. Gregory Gym, 1609 W. Gregory, 773-334- 5609
  
• 14 Care for Real Committee Meeting, 7 pm, 6044 N. Broadway, 773-334-5609
  
• 14 Edgewater Triangle Neighbors Association Meeting, 7 pm, Edgewater Baptist Church, 1401 W. Hollywood, 773-334-5609
  
• 14 Registration for Northside Catholic Academy opens, 773-271-4310 for more information
  ECC Book Club, 7pm, Pause Café, 1107 W. Berwyn Ave. This month’s book is Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris. Extra copies graciously available at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library on Elmdale. 773-381-1345
  
• 15 Hayt School Local School Council Meeting, 7 pm, Hayt School , 1518 W. Granville, 773-534-2040
  
• 17 African Masks –Children’s Crafts, 11 am, Edgewater Library , 1210 W. Elmdale, 312-744-0718
  
• 17 Writers at Heart, 1 pm, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale, 312-744-0718
  
• 18 Concert by St. Gregory’s and St. Ita’s Choirs, 3 pm, St. Ita’s Church, 5500 N. Broadway, 773-561- 5343
  
• 19 ECC Education Committee, 7 pm, 7106 , N. Ridge Boulevard 773-334-5609
  
• 21 Community Policing Beat 2013 Meeting, 7 pm, Philadelphia Church, 5445 N. Clark, 773-334-5609
  
• 23 Lenten Friday, Stations, Soup and Taize Prayer, 6 pm, St. Ita ‘s Church, 5500 N. Broadway, 773-561-5343
  
• 24 Jazz Supper Club, Doors open at 6:30, North Lakeside Cultural Center, 6219 N. Sheridan, $35, 773- 743-4477
  
• 25 Chicago Recycling Coalition, 7:30 pm, T’s Bar, 5025 N. Clark, Learn about the Coalition, 10 % of back room drink tab will be donated to the CRC, fun activities, 773-784-6000
  
• 27 Tuesday Morning Book Club,”House of Sand and Fog” by Andre Dubus, 10 am, Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale, book available at Edgewater Library, 312-744-0718
  
• 27 Edgewater Beach Neighbors Association, 7 pm, Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 773-334-5609
  
• 27 Men’s Book Discussion Group, “Other Voices, Other Rooms” by Truman Capote , 7:30-9:30 pm, Gerber/ Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, 773-381- 8030 March Deadline is February 16 Call 773-381-1340 or Fax 773-334-1871