The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Divvy are adding more than 100 spots to the City’s free bicycle riding classes for adults, offered in the summer bike-riding season.

Classes are offered at three locations on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays on Chicago’s west, south, and near north sides. CDOT is now accepting reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis for classes that start June 10. To RSVP any time before the class, please email sturner@samschwartz.com or call (312) 744-8147.

The classes are taught by CDOT’s safety education team, the Bicycling Ambassadors, and are designed to encourage adults who have never ridden a bike or haven’t ridden recently to feel comfortable riding a bike on city streets.

Participants in the two-hour classes will receive a free helmet. The classes are also open to children if space is available, however, children under 16 are required to provide their own bike, as Divvy does not allow riders under 16. Riders under 5 feet 3 inches may feel more comfortable on a smaller bike if they can bring one.

From June 10 – August 31, the classes will alternate between three locations; the closest classes to the 42nd Ward will be at Seward Park, 375 W. Elm Street on Thursdays. For the full schedule and additional details please CLICK HERE.

To print a copy, click HERE.

River North is a unique and wonderful neighborhood with miles of riverfront, historic architecture, world class dining and thriving nightlife.

The Problem: Unfortunately, our many visitors often leave a shocking amount of litter behind when they head home after a night on the town. Since the Department of Streets and Sanitation has limited resources on weekends, the neighborhood has to live with unsightly and unsanitary streets and sidewalks until Monday morning.

The Solution:  The River North Clean Streets has arranged for Cleanslate Chicago  to tidy up our neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  In their bright yellow vests, the friendly, well trained Cleanslate crews pick up tons of garbage and recyclable materials, leaving our community cleaner, safer and healthier.

The Benefits:  Keeps our neighborhood looking great, promotes recycling, deters crime, improves public health and safety and provides life-changing support, training and temporary employment for hardworking Cleanslate interns eager to move toward self sufficiency.

Now in it’s third successful year, River North Clean Streets is a 501(c)3 non-profit, jointly managed by the River North Residents Association and the River North Business Association and endorsed by both Alderman Brendan Reilly and Commander Daniel O’Shea.

In 2018:

• 620 bags of trash and 292 bags of recyclables (over 10 tons) were removed from our streets.
• 101 hard-working crew members received potentially life-changing opportunities.

This program is made possible by local businesses, organizations and individuals who are willing to become block or program sponsors.  We wish to express our gratitude to all of our sponsors who are helping to maintain a cleaner, safer and more compassionate River North.

• To view participating Block Sponsors, click here.
• To view participating Program Sponsors, click here.

Click here to learn about the amazing deal and current service area. To become a sponsor click here.

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On Friday, June 21, 2019, Chicago will join over 1,000 cities around the world in the largest single-day celebration of music. Inspired by France’s Fête de La Musique, Make Music Chicago is a free, citywide, do-it-yourself festival of music. Chicagoans of all ages and musical abilities, from seasoned professionals to those with no music experience, are invited to make music at any of the Make Music Chicago events, which include free sing-alongs, play-alongs, lessons, and performances. For a full schedule of events please visit makemusicchicago.org/schedule.

June 21st event highlights include:

Chicago Riverwalk – between Michigan Avenue and Lake Street
5:00-7:30PM – Make Music Chicago is thrilled to be offering a full evening of play-alongs, sing-alongs, and free music lessons along the Chicago Riverwalk. Instruments will be provided, just bring yourself!

Gallagher Way – 3635 N. Clark Street
6:30-8:00PM – Make Music Chicago is bringing our much-loved concert band play-along, Sousapalooza, to Gallagher Way! Bring your instrument and play some marches alongside the Navy Band Great Lakes. If you play flute, stick around for a play-along with the Chicago Flute Club later in the evening.*

*Registration required, please visit makemusicchicago.org/sousapalooza and makemusicchicago.org/flutes

Breakey Theatre at Chicago State University – 9501 S. King Drive
2:00-7:30PM Try your hand at steel pans, harmonica and an array of percussion instruments at Breakey Theatre before jumping into a jam session with the South Side Jazz Coalition! Instruments will be provided, just bring yourself!

In case of inclement weather, the outdoor events (Chicago Riverwalk, Gallagher Way) will move to Broadway Armory – 5917 N. Broadway

Despite an uncertain forecast, scores of River North families flocked to Ward Park for the RNRA’s annual Spring Family Festival. Laughter filled the air as the kids enjoyed flower planting, games, crafts, art, music, face painting, bubbles and balloon animals under mostly sunny skies in the beautiful riverfront setting. We sincerely appreciate the many local businesses and organizations whose activities and/or giveaways made the childrens’ experience so special. And a special thank you to our amazing volunteers, Marion Bryer, Margaret Nagala, Gina Spata, Stephanie Westerkamp, Nikki Sclafani and Nancy Kalchbrenner, without whom this wonderful event would not have been possible.

On Friday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. 18th District Commander Daniel O’Shea led the community in a Faith and Action Prayer Walk from Evergreen and Hudson to Chicago and Larrabee and along the North branch riverwalk to Montgomery Ward Park (Kingsbury and Erie).   Pastor Randall Blakey of LaSalle Street Church led the group in prayer at several stops along the walk. It was a lovely night and a beautiful community experience.

Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are dedicated to providing performance opportunities for emerging classical musicians while providing free weekly concerts throughout the year for Chicago audiences. Each Wednesday at 12:15pm, a welcoming audience fills Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center to hear the brightest and best of young classical talent from around the world perform a 45-minute program. For more information and event details, please visit http://imfchicago.org/programs/dame-myra-hess-memorial-concerts/

To print, click HERE.

By CFA Marketing

Art on theMART is joining the city in celebration of the 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre! This spring, a multi-part projection piece capturing seven significant Chicago theater artists by renowned lighting designer John Boesche will illuminate theMART. Coming this June, Art on theMART will introduce a collaboration piece between scenic designer John Musial and Lucky Plush Artistic Director Julia Rhoads. Visit artonthemart.com for more info. #artontheMART