Movie Night in the Park
2022-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave., Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
Enjoy the Jefferson Memorial Park Advisory Council Movie Night in the Park with Disney’s Encanto on Friday, September 16 at 7:00 PM. This free community event at Jefferson Memorial Park (4822 N. Long Ave.) is sponsored by the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce with snacks provided by Jefferson Park Forward.

JPF Walk - September 2022
2022-09-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Weston’s Coffee & Tap Co., 4872 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
North Park Village Nature Center

Yes, it’s time for the September Walk. Thanks to the football schedule we’re shifting to a Sunday this month. So for those of you that have previously asked for a Sunday walk, here’s your chance!!

This will be a very nice/somewhat local walk. We’ll be visiting the North Park Village Nature Center. We actually tried this walk a couple springs ago but couldn’t enter the Nature Center because of icy trails.

As always, we start at JPF Business Partner Weston’s Coffee & Tap Co. From Weston’s we’ll walk northeast towards LaBagh Woods where we will pick up the Weber Spur to Bryn Mawr Ave. From there, it’s a walk up Pulaski to the Nature Center. We’ll circle the entire nature preserve, hopefully catching a few bird sightings along the way.

After we’re done there we’ll walk up to Peterson where we’ll head west to Alarmist Brewing Co. For those that haven’t been there, their taproom is gorgeous. After some refreshment we’re right next to the Weber Spur for the walk back home. Total miles will be right around 7.

Please note the slightly later time (10:00 AM). Alarmist doesn’t open until noon so it makes no sense to get there before that time. Please note there is no Bear game conflict as they’re on Sunday Night Football.

Please join up for a good time.

JPF Halloween Party
2022-10-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Babe’s On Milwaukee, 4416 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL, 60630-3710, United States
Join us for a Halloween Party at Babe’s! Wear a costume for a chance to win gift cards to local businesses!

JPF March 2023 Walk - Parade Edition
2023-03-12 09:30 - 14:30
Pretty simple concept for this one. We’ll walk up to the parade route and park it to enjoy the sights and sounds of the NWS Irish Parade. The area right in front of Mystic Rogue is the perfect location. The Guinness and bloody marys will be flowing. I’ve done the parade multiple times and it’s a lot of fun. There will be multiple politicians in the parade you can scream at (guessing there will be mayoral runoff) and you’ll be ducking flying pieces of candy thrown by parade members.

We’ll leave from Weston’s around 9:30 which should give us a good hour+ at the parade site prior to its noon kickoff. We’ll likely walk up Avondale & NW Hwy though if weather unusually good we might take the slightly longer Higgins/Old Norwood Park route. Either way we’re talking just 2.5-3.0 miles one way. After the parade we’ll walk back via NW Hwy. If people get thirsty on the way back we can easily sneak in to Trinity, Highway House, or Vaughan’s on the way home.

Come join us for what will be a great time.

Please note, this is SUNDAY.

JPF March 2023 General Meeting + Wine & Cheese Social
2023-03-16 18:30 - 20:30
Join us for our first General Meeting of 2023 at Friendship Community Place (5150 W. Northwest Highway). We’ll start at 6:30pm with a Wine & Cheese Social and begin the meeting at 7pm. We’ll hear about JPF’s 2023 plans and learn about the 5150 Mural Project. Bring your ideas to share with the project coordinators! Following the meeting, we’ll meet up at Rex for some beverages and conversation. JPF General Meetings are open to the public.

JPF April 2023 General Meeting
2023-04-20 19:00 - 20:30 | North Branch Fried Chicken, 5481 N Northwest Highway, Chicago, Illinois, 60630, United States
Join your neighbors for JPF’s April 2023 General Meeting on Thursday, April 20, at 7pm at North Branch Fried Chicken (5481 N Northwest Hwy). You’ll hear all about spring in the neighborhood from JPF, Jefferson Park Sunday Market, Jefferson Park Pollinator Garden, Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, Filament Theatre, Wildlight Yoga, Jefferson Memorial Park & Jefferson Memorial Park Advisory Council.

COME EARLY FOR DINNER! North Branch offers gourmet fried chicken with award winning barbecue sauces and hand crafted sides & salads. Eat before or during the meeting!

JPF April 2023 Walk
2023-04-29 09:00 - 14:00
For April we’re going to hit up Bloomingdale Trail AKA The 606. The trail has gotten even more amazing as the landscaping has really filled in. It’s a rails-to-trails success story.

From Weston’s we’ll head down Milwaukee to Pulaski where we’ll start heading south through Hermosa. The west trail head is at 1800 N Ridgeway. From there the trail heads east through Logan Square/Humboldt Park/Bucktown/Wicker Park. The gentrification along the west side of the trail is quite impressive (granted many are not happy about this). Once we hit the east trail head we have ample choices to sit down for some refreshment. Afterwards we’ll head west along either Armitage or North to Milwaukee to either grab the L or the 56. Obviously if people are REALLY ambitious we can walk all the way home LOL. Total walking distance will be around 9 miles assuming taking the CTA on the return trip.

Meet-up as usual will be at Weston’s. Shooting for a 9AM departure.

JPF Craft Collective (Formerly Knittervention)
2023-04-30 11:00 - 13:00 | Weston’s Coffee & Tap Co., 4872 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60630, United States
We’re back and we’re changing our name to JPF Craft Collective to reflect that our meet ups are open to all artists, crafters, and neighbors – not just knitters! Join us for our first public meet up of the year on Sunday, April 30 at 11am at Weston’s Coffee & Tap for food, beverages, and good conversation while you knit, crochet, craft, read, work, create, whatever!

JPF Forward March Pub Crawl 2023
2023-05-13 14:00 - 20:00
Forward March Pub Crawl 2023 is back again. Tickets include a favor and food! All ticket sales support JPF activities throughout the year. This year, emphasis on fundraising include the Jefferson Park Alley Project next to Weston’s Coffee and the Jeff Fest JPF Community Stage. We also use funds to support our community partners and activities.

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4872 N Milwaukee Ave 2:00 - 3:00 PM

JPF May 2023 General Meeting
2023-05-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio Portage Park, 4410 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60630, United States
Join your neighbors for the JPF May 2023 General Meeting at Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio – Portage Park! We’ll hear from four local businesses, including our host Schoolhouse Kitchen and our friends at Rep Chi, Tone Deaf Records, and Triple R Gallery. Dana Fritz from Congressman Quigley’s office will also join. This is a BYOB event, so grab your favorite drink and meet some our your favorite local business owners!

JPF Craft Collective (formerly Knittervention)
2023-05-21 11:00 - 13:30 | Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60630, United States
Join us for a meet up on Sunday, May 21 at 11am at Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.) for the Northwest Side Farmer’s Market Collective for food, beverages, and good conversation while you knit, crochet, craft, read, work, create, whatever!

JPF May 2023 Walk - Rogers Park!
2023-05-27 09:00
This month’s walk will feature Rogers Park. We’ll head east from Weston’s down Foster to LaBagh Woods where we’ll pick up the Weber Spur. We’ll take the Spur up to Devon and then head east to explore the Indian & Pakistani businesses along Devon. Somewhere around Western we’ll head a little north before heading east through Rogers Park. Obviously we’ll finish up with some refreshment. This will be a one-way walk, we’ll take the CTA home so be sure to bring your Ventra Card if you have one.

Total walking distance will be around 7.5 miles.

Shooting for 9AM departure from Weston’s.

Hope to see you there!

JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest
2023-07-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Thomas Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 North Long Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60630, United States
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4

· 5:15 PM: The Prime

· 7:00 PM: Surgery Cult

· 9:00 PM: Shannon Candy + Friends

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5

· 3:00 pm: Carey Anne Farrell

· 5:00 pm: Julia Merchant

· 6:45 pm: Vang

· 7:30 pm: Enderly

· 9:00 pm: K.F. Jacques

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

· 2:00 PM: Chicago Music and Acting Academy

· 3:30 PM: Chicago Ballet Center

· 5:30 PM: Filament Theatre

· 7:00 PM: Jefferson Park Songwriters Group

Volunteer for JPF at Jeff Fest

Volunteer on behalf of Jefferson Park Forward at the beer tent near the JPF Community Stage.

JPF July General Meeting + Community Stage Preview
2023-07-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Tavern and Grill, 4530 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us for our first summer meeting at The Windsor! Catch up on JPF activities and get a preview of the talented artists performing on the JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest this year, including Carey Anne Farrell and members of the Jefferson Park Songwriters group. This year’s Community Stage is generously sponsored by Gale Street Inn.

JPF Craft Collective at the Jefferson Park Sunday Market
2023-07-23 11:00 - 13:00
JPF Craft Collective will meet up at 11am at the next Jefferson Park Sunday Market on Sunday, July 23, 2023. We’ll gather near the market entrance closest to the playground for food, beverages, and good conversation while we knit, crochet, craft, read, work, create, whatever! The market is open from 9:30am – 1:30pm, so feel free to come early.

JPF July 2023 Walk - Humboldt Park
2023-07-29 09:00 - 14:00 | Weston’s Coffee & Tap Co., 2144, 4872 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA, Chicago, IL, United States
The July JPF Walk is here! While our end destination will be Humboldt Park, the route will be slightly different from previous HP walks which headed straight down Milwaukee.

We will head straight down Long (from Weston’s) all the way to Palmer St (2000N). With a little luck we’ll be able to visit for a bit at the Prosser Community Garden. It’s nice, we’ve visited it before. It’s directly north of the high school. After that, we’ll head straight down Palmer all the way to Palmer Square (passing Walt Disney’s birthplace on the way). From there it’s straight south on Sacramento to Humboldt Park for some lagoon/garden/sculpture exploring.

For refreshment, we’ll hit Aztec Dave’s Cantina on California. After the Cantina, it’s north on California to catch the Milwaukee bus/Blue Line for trip home. If people have interest and it’s after 2PM we can hit up The Freeze on Armitage for ice cream on the way.

Total distance around 7.5 miles.

1st Day of School Grown Up Meet Up
2023-08-21 08:30 | Weston’s Coffee & Tap Co., 4872 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
Join your neighbors to celebrate the first day of school at a post-drop-off meet up at Weston’s!

JPF September 2023 Annual Meeting and Elections
2023-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Tavern and Grill, 4530 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA, Chicago, IL, United States
Please join us for the JPF September 2023 Annual Meeting and Elections on Thursday, September 21, at 7:00 PM at The Windsor Tavern, located at 4530 N Milwaukee Ave. It’s an excellent opportunity to catch up on JPF activities and meet the slate of candidates for the 2023-2024 JPF Board of Directors.

Active, regular members (renew your membership here) will have the opportunity to vote on the slate of candidates. Following the elections, we will adjourn for a social hour to bid farewell to departing members of the JPF Board, including our last-remaining founding director, Rolando Rodriguez. Rolando may be retiring as Vice President, but he plans to remain actively involved with the JPF Social Committee and will continue as the JPF representative on the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce.

The JPF Board of Directors consists of nine elected representatives from the JPF membership. We hold board elections every September during our annual meeting. This year, we will be electing a new vice president, secretary, and three board seats. Candidate profiles will be published next week in preparation for the meeting.

JPF October 2023 General Meeting
2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Windsor Tavern and Grill, 4530 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us for our last general meeting of 2023! Hear about JPF’s plans for 2024 and upcoming events. Guest Speaker Paddy Lindley will share how Bring Chicago Home is fighting to end homelessness and what we can do to help.

JPF February 2024 General Meeting
2024-02-15 19:00 - 20:30
Join Jefferson Park Forward for our first General Meeting of 2024! We’re going virtual this month, so grab dinner from your favorite local restaurant and cozy up to your computer while we hear updates from the Ed Paschke Art Center, National Veterans Art Museum, The Gift Theatre, and Seventh Corner Gallery. All are welcome but registration is required. Click here to register.

JPF March 2024 General Meeting
2024-03-21 19:00
Join JPF for our March 2024 General Meeting! We’re going virtual again this month, so grab some dinner from your favorite local restaurant and join us online to hear legislative updates from Congressman Mike Quigley and news from JPF as we look forward to spring and summer in Jefferson Park. All are welcome, but registration is required. Register here.

JPF Forward March Pub Crawl 2024
2024-04-27 14:00 - 20:00
The JPF Forward March Pub Crawl is back! Join us for old favorites and some new stops in 2024. Tickets include our custom JPF scarf, transportation, drink specials, and food! All ticket sales support JPF activities throughout the year, including the JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest and Jefferson Park (Weston’s) Alley programming.

Grab your tickets as space is LIMITED this year! We can’t wait to once again spend a great day with neighbors supporting some of our great Jefferson Park businesses!

This year’s route is:2pm – Weston’s > 3:15pm – Ma O’Brien’s > 4:30pm – Vaughan’s > 5:45pm – The Brig > 7pm – Rex Tavern

Thanks to additional sponsors Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, Qamar Group, Real Broker LLC, and Printer’s Row Brewing for helping make our pub crawl happen!

CODE OF CONDUCT

Jefferson Park Forward is committed to creating safe and enjoyable spaces for all members, attendees, and our partners. As a participant in our organization and our events, we ask that you treat everyone with respect and kindness, refrain from any form of violence, aggression, or harassment, and drink responsibly if alcohol is served. Please respect personal boundaries, keep the environment clean, and follow any guidelines provided by event staff. If you have any concerns or witness behavior that violates this code of conduct, please report it to a JPF board members who will be clearly visible. Violations may result in removal from the event. Thank you for helping us create a positive and inclusive environment for everyone.

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4872 N Milwaukee Ave 2:00 - 3:00 PM

JPF May 2024 General Meeting
2024-05-16 19:00 | Windsor Tavern and Grill, 4530 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us on Thursday, May 16, at 7pm at the Windsor Tavern (4530 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago) to hear about spring happenings in Jefferson Park! Guests include the Jefferson Park Sunday Market and Jefferson Park Pollinator Gardens, with more invited!

JPF May 2024 Walk
2024-05-25 09:30
Hey, a location we’ve never walked to…

For May we’ll we head east to check out Andersonville. We’ll walk E down Foster, possibly taking a quick detour into Bohemian Cemetery to check out some graves. After that we’ll continue eastward (possibly via Bryn Mawr) all the way to Clark St to explore Andersonville. Obviously refreshment will be involved with Simon’s Tavern and Hopleaf being options. Women & Children First is a worthwhile stop for book shopping. Middle East Bakery a good place to stock up on pita and falafel if you have interest.

For the trip home we can do either Foster or Lawrence bus. Total distance will be around 7 miles. Meet up for 9:30 departure at Weston’s.

Hope to see you there.

JPF Saturdays in the Alley: Music & Merriment!
2024-06-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Jefferson Park Alley, 4870 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60630, United States
Join Jefferson Park Forward SATURDAY, June 1 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Grab a snack and beverage at Weston’s and enjoy an afternoon of music and merriment with neighbors in the Jefferson Park Alley. The Alley is located on Milwaukee Ave, next to Weston’s Coffee & Tap & across from the Jefferson Park Transit Center.

JPF June 2024 General Meeting
2024-06-20 19:00
Join us on Thursday, June 20, at 7pm at the Windsor Tavern (4530 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago) to hear a legislative update from Illinois State Representative Lindsey LaPointe. Come early for dinner and stay after the meeting for a social hour (or two)!

JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest
2024-07-12 18:00 - 22:00
6-8pm: Join us for a JPF Happy Hour to kick off the Community Stage! Wear your JPF gear and come say hello!

6:00 pm – Sidehug

7:15 pm – Salisman

8:45 pm – Bloodhype

Want to volunteer for a shift at the beer tent to help raise funds so JPF can continue to bring great artists like these to your neighborhood? Sign up at our volunteer page.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Side Hug

Friday at 6:00

Bio: Amid the tapestry of Chicago’s indie rock scene emerges Side Hug, the sonic brainchild of Lyd Landor (vocals, guitar), Christian Ovalle (drums) and Allan Cardenas (lead guitar). After crossing paths working at a local ice cream shop on the North Side, the group formed their sound — a dreamy concoction of shoegaze and indie rock — highlighting sharp guitar work, raucous drums, and slacker-esque vocals with heartfelt lyrics. On their sophomore EP Wasted Summer, Side Hug brings a more complex and reverb-soaked sound, that is nostalgic like a double scoop with sprinkles melting in the midday sun.

Links: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook

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Salisman

Friday at 7:15

Bio: Salisman is a four-piece psychedelic indie-rock band with a sound they refer to as “western shoegaze.” The band features Travis Salisbury on pedal steel, Paul Foreman on guitar and vocals, Sean Burke on drums and Kevin Pulaski on bass. The songs tell the story a fictional cult leader who is forced to reinvent himself each time his followers lose faith and abandon him. This four piece plays with heavy dynamics and slide between hushed, country-tinged waltzes to aggressive, fuzz-drenched barn-burners.

Links:

Bandcamp: https://salisman.bandcamp.com/music

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salismanblessed/

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Bloodhype

Friday at 8:45

Bio: Bloodhype, originally created as a solo electronic project by Maureen Neer in 2011, was born in Athens, Ohio where it floated along the Hocking River to pick up rhythm and mixing mastermind Chris Lee. Like most weird, sci-fi-obsessed kids, Bloodhype (now more of a group project) made its way to Chicago, IL where it Kirby-inhaled Colin Mulhern, who occasionally adds additional instrumentation and mixes Bloodhype’s songs.

Bloodhype’s latest album, TRENDOIDS, is a dancey, electronic banger. You can probably tell from upbeat extraterrestrial and cryptid themes in “Encounter at Alpha 7 Quadrant” and “Night Crawler” that the album was conceived during COVID as a response to the need for silliness. TRENDOIDS is for fans of Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, The Talking Heads, and Devo

Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloodhype_chi/

Bandcamp: https://bloodhype.bandcamp.com/

Spotify:

JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest
2024-07-13 14:30 - 22:00
2:30 pm – Buzz Hunter

4:30 pm – Jessica Risker

6:30 pm – Blue Stevenson

8:30 pm – Thomas Comerford

Want to volunteer for a shift at the beer tent to help raise funds so JPF can continue to bring great artists like these to your neighborhood? Sign up at our volunteer page.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Buzz Hunter

Saturday at 2:30

Bio:

Buzz Hunter is a local musician who has been singing and writing songs since he was a student at St. Pat’s.

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Jessica Risker

Saturday at 4:30

Bio: Jessica Risker is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter and guitarist renowned for her unique blend of psychedelic folk music. Collaborating with talented bandmates Joshua Wentz (synths/electronix) and Brian Weza (bass) and drawing inspiration from Broadcast, Jessica Pratt, Laurel Canyon, and Beck, Jessica Risker crafts music that is both deeply introspective and expansively psychedelic. Jessica’s previous album “I See You Among the Stars” was released via Western Vinyl to critical acclaim.

Risker is currently recording a new album with Chicago engineer Dave Vettraino and bandmates Joshua Wentz, Brian Weza, Maria Jacobson, and Steve Plock.

Links: https://jessicarisker.com/

https://deadbeatbeatbeat.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/jessicarisker

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Blue Stevenson

Saturday at 6:30

Bio: Blue Stevenson is a songwriter and singer based in Chicago, IL. Inspired by the storytelling of pop artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, her work centers catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrical narratives,

Links:

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/21yRQpj7ZChZ1n1meeXHze?si=L0lmnVNSRXWav6OHG_Jo8A

Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blue-stevenson/1708046297

Instagram – @blue.stevenson

YouTube – www.youtube.com/@bluestevenson2407

Tik Tok – @bluestevenson_music

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Thomas Comerford

Saturday at 8:30

Bio:

Thomas Comerford is a Jefferson Park, Chicago-based singer-songwriter whose songs and singing have been compared to Jeff Tweedy and Tom Waits (“USA Today”) as well as Lou Reed and the Go-Betweens (“Chicago Reader”). He has released four studio albums and a handful of singles, including 2023’s “Spell of Protection” b/w “Those Who Fear Tomorrow” recorded at Electrical Audio. Currently, Thomas is recording an EP of new songs with his live band. He also plays in a rock n roll band, Glimmerwire, and a Velvet Underground tribute band, Another VU.

Links:

thomascomerford.net

thomascomerford.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/thomascomerfordmusic/

youtube.com/user/ThomasComerford/

JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest
2024-07-14 14:00 - 21:00
2:30 pm – Chicago Music and Acting Academy

5:00 pm – Citywide Symphony Orchestra Ensembles

7:00 pm – Jefferson Park Songwriters

Want to volunteer for a shift at the beer tent to help raise funds so JPF can continue to bring great artists like these to your neighborhood? Sign up at our volunteer page.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Chicago Music and Acting Academy

Sunday at 2:30

Bio: Chicago Music & Acting Academy will be taking the stage this year with a live band! Our students, ages 5-adult, will perform pop/rock and musical theatre hits through the decades.

Links:

www.chicagomaa.org

Facebook: Chicago Music and Acting Academy

Instagram: @ChicagoMusicandActing

Tik Tok: @chicagomusicandacting

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Citywide Symphony Orchestra Ensembles

Sunday at 5:00

Founded in 1947, The Chicago City Wide Symphony Orchestra is an all-volunteer community orchestra comprised of students and amateur, semi-professional and retired musicians of all ages from Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area.

https://citywideorchestra.org

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Jefferson Park Songwriters

Sunday at 7:00

A group of talented local musicians will share their original songs. Don’t miss this!

JPF October 2024 General Meeting
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join JPF for our next general member meeting on Thursday, October 17, from 7-8pm.

We are hosting our meeting in the back area of The Windsor. (Come early, grab a seat, grab some food, tip well!)

We’ll have a vote for proposed bylaw changes (you can review those here: https://www.jeffersonparkforward.org/proposed-2024-bylaw…/).

For October’s meeting, we will feature local businesses! Come meet and hear from some of our favorite new and established businesses in the area and see what they have coming up this fall and winter
