Operation Help-A-Hero, a citywide household item collection drive to assist formerly homeless Veterans moving to permanent housing, runs between Memorial Day and the 4th of July. Residents can donate new, store bought products for a formerly homeless veteran at one of over 60 designated drop-off locations throughout the City.

Last year’s inaugural collection drive raised $500,000 worth of goods to help formerly homeless veteran. The items help assist thousands of veterans to successfully live independently.

Led by Alderman O’Shea and the 19th Ward, the Operation Help-A-Hero drive includes partnerships between Aldermanic Ward offices – including the 42nd Ward, the Chicago Park District and Military Outreach USA, a faith based non-profit organization supporting those who have served in the United States’ armed services

For a list of the most commonly requested items or more information on Operation Help-A-Hero, including a complete list of drop off locations, visit www.cityofchicago.org/helpahero

We’re pleased to bring you the 12th season of  Movies in the Park!

Thank you for taking the survey.  The results are in.  These are the movies you have chosen for 2017!  Save the dates, call a friend, grab a blanket and join us in A. Montgomery Ward Park  for a movie under the stars!  Fresh, hot popcorn is FREE for the first 150 to 200 people!

All movies begin at dusk, weather permitting. To confirm weather-related cancellations call the Movies in the Park Hotline (312-742-1134), go to My Chi Parks mobile app or RNRA social media. Follow us and Like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Please remember, the Chicago Park District prohibits dogs in this section of Ward Park.

The 2017 Movie Line-up

June 20, 2017:  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off   PG 13

July 11, 2017:  Rogue One  PG 13

July 18, 2017:  La La Land  PG 13

August 8, 2017:  Sully  PG 13

August 22, 2017:  The Secret Life of Pets  PG

Thank you to our generous RNRA Sponsors who make these movies possible.  Please check out their websites and patronize their businesses.

Aligned Modern Health

Ambra Salon & European Spa

BLVD Vet

Erie LaSalle Body Shop & Car Care Center

First Community Management

Hutch American Cafe

GI Stone

Kinzie Chophouse

Lester Lampert Jewelters

Lewin Law Group, P.C.

Motor Brand Design

Office Depot/OfficeMax

Onni Group

Related Realty

Sonnet’s Academy

Saper Law

Sedgwick Development

Studio 41 Home Design Showroom

TailsUp

The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group

The Habitat Company

Wesson Residential Group

Gather your friends and colleagues to compete in the River North Business Association’s Annual River North Challenge on June 27.  Win prizes and have fun!

Participants start the evening at The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza and venture out to other River North hotels and checkpoints to conquer fun challenges.Teams are faced with new challenges at each location providing competitors the chance to earn points towards a grand prize.

Clues to find Bonus Spots along the way offer teams the opportunity to gain a competitive edge over others. Food and beverages at each Challenge Location will keep you fueled for the fun! Dress as your favorite Chicago Character because the team with the most creative attire will win the Best Costume prize!

Register your team of four for $200, or purchase a single ticket for $50 and be placed on a team. If you have more than one team from your company, register for a Corporate Challenge Squad (3 teams from the same company) for $480.

The Platinum Sponsor for the Challenge is Comcast Business and Wintrust Bank Chicago is the Gold Sponsor.

More Details and Registration Here

Historic architecture, eclectic dining and thriving nightlife make River North one of the city’s most vibrant and desirable communities…

Attention River North. Did you know we have a produce farm in the neighborhood? Yes, it’s true! Chicago Lights Urban Farm, a local gem located at 444 West Chicago Avenue, offers a farm stand every Saturday, as well as community plots and a Fresh Produce Program.

The farm is run in conjunction with Chicago Lights, a non-profit and community outreach program run and funded by the First Presbyterian Church. The Chicago Lights program works with at risk youth, offering day camps, job training, programs for community-members, and the Sprouts Academy. The Urban Farm teaches youth the fundamentals of urban agriculture, as they learn how to cultivate and harvest crops. River North’s famous Farmhouse restaurant partners with the Urban Farm for fresh, local sustainable produce.

But just don’t take our word for it. This lovely little farm offers subscription farming to local residents, where for an annual membership fee of $100, residents can harvest their own produce on a 3-foot by 9-foot plot filled with organic soil, communal garden supplies (tools, compost), water access, and technical support. Gardeners are expected to become part of the Chicago Lights Urban Farm community and contribute to the life of the Farm. This includes mandatory volunteer hours and helping maintain communal plots. Gardeners are responsible for their own seeds, plants, and personal garden tools.

In addition, fresh, organic produce is offered for sale during the summer months at their onsite Farmstand every Saturday, May-November, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All produce sold is grown onsite and selection varies according to the season, ranging from greens and beats, sweet peppers to seasons. It is an impressive variety.

Please check out the following link and video to learn more about this Urban Farm. Volunteers are always appreciated, and there are many opportunities to get involved.

https://www.chicagolights.org/our-programs/urban-farm/

Join us for an exciting morning along the banks of the Chicago River as we kick off the 25th Annual Chicago River Day!

Register now!  Only 2 spots left!  To register, click here.

Work side-by-side with other volunteers beautifying our river, collecting garbage and sorting for recycling, removing invasive vegetation, sprucing up river-edge trails, and planting native seedlings at over 60 locations throughout the Chicago River system. As a special thank you, you’ll also get to take home a commemorative Chicago River Day t-shirt!

Each location has different restoration needs and volunteer activities available. If you have any questions about a particular site or its activities, please email riverday@chicagoriver.org.

Registration will remain open until Monday, May 8, 2017 or until the site is at capacity.

LIABILITY WAIVERS

All volunteers must sign Friends’ liability waiver upon arrival. If you do not sign the waiver, you will not be able to participate. NOTE: Some sites require additional waivers that you must print out and bring with you the day of the event.

The following waiver(s) need to be completed and signed for this location:

Friends Waiver

Chicago Park District Waiver

IMPORTANT NOTES

•Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to participate on Chicago River Day. Children without parents/guardians will NOT be allowed to participate unless they are part of a school or scout group with a teacher or group leader, and bring signed waivers from their parent or guardian.

•Volunteers must be at least 8 years old to participate. As each site is unique, some are more suitable than others for families and children. If you have questions about whether the site is family-friendly, please email riverday@chicagoriver.org.

For general Chicago River Day questions, please visit Friends’ Chicago River Day FAQ page, or email mjones@chicagoriver.org.