Another local Chain Downsizing means possible job loss

Leona's Property Courted by McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts

February 20, 2013 7:03am | By Benjamin Woodard, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

ROGERS PARK — The building that houses Leona's Restaurant in Rogers Park is up for sale, but not anywhere near being sold or leased yet, the company's CEO said.

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130220/rogers-park/leonas-property-courted-by-mcdonalds-dunkin-donuts-but-not-gone-yet#ixzz2LSZT7bRe

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It is sad to see another long time anchor business of the community go down.  Leona's has great food and yes, I am guilty of the delivery thing, I do order out (got to love grub-hub!) 

But the fact that long time companies feel the need to downsize signifies that the recovery is still a slow process and that with every job created, there will be a loss.

The 49th ward in Chicago is not immune.  We have seen a number of longtime businesses disappear and new projects (like the gateway center) not take off and stagnate.  The diverse nature of the ward makes it difficult to court any single demographic, depending where you are in the ward.  

I hope that we can keep the long time neighbor, Leona's, a part of Rogers Park.  But it takes the community to support it! - B. Wojtas

49th Ward Blue Cart Recycling

Community Meeting on Blue Cart Recycling Expansion to 49th Ward

Dear Neighbor,
The blue carts are coming to the 49th Ward!
Find out all you need to know about Blue Cart Recycling at a community meeting I am co-sponsoring with the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.  The meeting will take place this Wednesday, February 20th, 7:00 p.m., at the Rogers Park Library, 6907 N. Clark (at Farwell), 2nd Floor.
We'll provide you with information about the program, including the type of material that can be recycled and your collection schedule.
I announced last week that after a long wait, the City's Blue Cart Recycling program is expanding to the 49th Ward.  Every 49th Ward household that currently receives City garbage pick-up will now participate in Blue Cart Recycling.  This means that if you live in a single family home or a two- to four-unit apartment building, your paper, bottles, cans and certain plastics will be picked up separately from your household garbage.
The City will begin dropping off the blue carts in front of homes next week and collections of recyclables will begin March 11th or March 18th, depending on the location in the ward.
For the program to succeed, it is very important to get the word out.  I am working with the City to identify volunteer "Recycling Block Captains" in the 49th Ward to help spread the word about the recycling program to their neighbors, answer questions, and provide feedback to my office and the City about how the program is working in their area.  The Block Captains will be provided materials to help promote the program, including yard signs and door hangers.
If you would like to volunteer to be a Recycling Block Captain in your area, please reply to this email or call my 49th Ward Service Office at 773-338-5796.
If you live in an apartment building larger than four units in size, your waste is collected by a private waste hauler and you are not eligible to participate in the Blue Cart program.  However, you should know that all rental and condominium buildings that receive private refuse collection are required by law to offer recycling to their residents. 
If your building does not offer recycling collection, please advise your landlord or condominium association of their obligation under the law.  If you still have trouble convincing your landlord or association to offer recycling, please contact my office at ward49@cityofchciago.org or 773-338-5796.
For those who do not receive recycling pick-up or who wish to bring their recyclables to a drop-off center, the 49th Ward Streets and Sanitation Yard at 6441 N. Ravenswood (behind the police station on Clark Street) will continue to provide large dumpsters into which you can drop off your recyclables at any time.
I'm thrilled the blue carts are coming to the 49th Ward and knowing our neighborhood's commitment to the environment and sustainability, I have no doubt we will have enjoy of the highest success rates in the City!
Sincerely,
Joe Moore
http://www.facebook.com/joemoore49
http://www.twitter.com/joemoore49