Gilda’s Club Chicago Presents the 6th Annual

“It’s Always Something” Teen Essay Contest!

Open to high school students (grades 9-12) willing to share their experiences with cancer.  We are looking for honest, detailed, personal essays by young writers who have a connection to cancer.  Judges will be looking for an interesting and engaging narrative told in your own words.  The essay should describe your experience and an overall message about how that journey has impacted your life in 500 – 2,000 words. Essays may be written in English or Spanish.  All entries are due by March 2nd, 2015.

Essays will be judged in two categories:

•     Personal Cancer Experience for those who received a diagnosis themselves

•     Family Cancer Experience for those who have a family member or friend living with cancer or who have lost someone to cancer

Cash awards are available to winners in each category.

1st Place will receive $3,000
2nd Place will receive $1,500
3rd Place will receive $500

Each entry must be submitted by March 2nd, 2015 and include an official entry form.

Download the rules and the offical entry form HERE. 

Submit essays HERE electronically. 

Or mail them to:
“It’s Always Something”
Teen Essay Contest
Gilda’s Club Chicago
Attn: Elizabeth Healy
537 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL  60654

For questions, please email Elizabeth Healy at ElizabethHealy@gildasclubchicago.org or call 312-464-9900

– See more at: http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/calendar/events/gildasclub/13895/it-s-always-something-teen-essay-contest/#sthash.Qvlge1PW.dpuf

Partner with the Chicago 18th District Police Department  in being a part of the “1 City, 1 Food Drive” for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Items may be dropped in the barrel located in the 18th District main lobby, all hours, until December 14th

2014 Holiday Fund Drive

Join Your Friends & Neighbors

Annual Meeting & Election

5:30-7:30pm 

• 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly
• 18th District Police Commander William Dunn
•  Update of development projects and 2015 plans
•  Election of our Vice-President

Please join us to honor these amazing River North organizations: 

          

Members of the River North Residents Association Pet Committee will be cleaning up the Dog Friendly Area Park on Erie and Larrabee on Saturday, December 6th 10:30am – 12:30pm. We’re looking for volunteers to assist us in our efforts.

Clean-up materials will be supplied but if you have any extra rakes or garbage bags that would be helpful.

Let’s keep the park clean for our furry friends!

The City of Chicago and UL are pleased to announce the lineup for the 101st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, November 25, at Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn). The FREE event begins at 4:30pm with performances headlined by rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame. The official tree lighting will be at 5pm.

Dee Snider, best known as the front man for the legendary rock band Twisted Sister, headlines the event. Snider will perform a medley from Broadway In Chicago’s Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale which begins its world premiere at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place on November 4 through January 4, 2015.

Hansel and Gretel from Emerald City Theatre’s Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat will also perform a song from their classic story reimagined as a family rock musical. The musical will be playing at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place starting November 22 through January 4, 2015.

Since 2009, Chicago’s Christmas tree has been donated by a Chicago-area family. During the summer and early fall, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events received more than 80 submissions from Chicagoland residents who hoped that their tree would be selected to shine on Daley Plaza during the holidays. Chicago’s Christmas tree will be on display at Daley Plaza through January 8, 2014.

Santa Claus will once again set up shop on Daley Plaza in an all-new Santa House provided by ECODOME Inc. Santa’s Midwest headquarters will be open to children of all ages where they can experience the wonder of the North Pole and have their picture taken with Santa Claus throughout the holiday season.

Visits with Santa Claus begin on Tuesday, November 25 at 6pm until 8pm, with special hours on Wednesday, November 26 from 11am-8pm and Thanksgiving Day from 11am-4pm. Santa’s regular visiting hours and house tours will begin on Friday, November 28 and continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 21 from 11am-8pm. During Christmas week, December 22-23, the house will be open each day from 11am-8pm, with special hours on Christmas Eve from 11am-4pm. Santa will be available for photos, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

Thank you to all our families and sponsors who attended RNRA’s 3rd Annual Halloween Parade last month. A big thank you to our River North Family Programs chair, Lana Berkovich. As our neighborhood grows so does our families, we could use some moms, dads and friendly residents to help us with future events. Please contact Lana at lberkovich@rnrachicago.org even if you only have a 1/2 hour, we welcome all volunteers.

We have lots of pictures to share. Please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/river.north.family.programs?ref=hl and http://photos.evaho.com/rnra-halloween2014 to see pictures of our trick or treaters.

On Saturday, November 8, River North neighbors can make an immediate difference in our community by volunteering your time and efforts to take part in Chicago’s citywide Clean & Green Day of Service.

This fall, Chicagoans can join a two-decade long tradition of teaming up with community groups and the City of Chicago to help beautify your communities by cleaning up and recycling fall leaves and other yard debris. All you have to do is team up and sign up to clean a neighborhood location near you.

By cleaning up leaves and other debris, you can help keep storm drains and curb lanes clear before snowfall this winter to benefit your whole community. The City will work with you and your community team to provide you with all the bags, rakes, shovels and brooms you will need to get the job done.

Join in on November 8 and help make a big difference in your neighborhood! To register or for more information, call 3-1-1. The registration deadline is Friday, October 31, 2014.

The Chicago Department of Public Health has also collaborated with Aldermanic offices and various community partners to host Immunization events where residents can get their flu shot. Residents can attend any of the walk-in clinic events and should bring their Medicare or insurance card if they have one.

42nd Ward Flu Shot Clinic

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

12:00pm – 3:00pm

First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple

77 W. Washington Street

In addition to vaccinations, everyone can take the following basic precautions to avoid the flu:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Teach children the same healthy habits.
• Make an extra effort to clean commonly-touched surfaces, such as countertops, tables, doorknobs, telephones and TV/stereo remote controls.
• Do not share anything that goes in the mouth, such as drinking cups and straws.
• Eat more whole grains, vegetables and fruit, get enough rest and stay physically fit to help the body fight off disease.
• If you have the flu or any cold, do not infect others. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, and promptly discard used facial tissues. If you are ill, stay home from work or school until you recover.

To get vaccinated, talk to your doctor or call a pharmacy. If you do not have a doctor, call 311 to locate one CDPH’s Fast Track Immunization Clinics. You can also use the Flu Clinic Finder to locate a place nearby.