DEAR OLD TOWN NEIGHBOR,
Don't ask -- I don' t think anyone knows how it got to be the end of July already. But all we can do about it is take advantage of what we have left of the summer. And there's plenty. Take a look at the list of events coming up -- check out some of the newest restaurants in the neighborhood -- the possibilities are endless! |
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STATE REPRESENTATIVE KEN DUNKIN GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
On Friday, July 24th at his offices on N. Wells Street, State Representative Ken Dunkin awarded eight tuition waivers to deserving college students from the 5th District.
Did you know that each State Representative can give out eight scholoarships each year? Rather than choose for himself, Representative Dunkin uses a committee to distribute the scholarships.
This year the recipients include incoming freshman, graduating seniors, masters, and PhD students! Congrats to all the students, committee members, and Representative Dunkin!
Speaking of Representative Dunkin, if you are looking to chat with him -- or meet him for the first time -- stop by the Newberry Library this coming Tuesday, August 4th at 6:00pm for a Meet and Greet! State Senator Mattie Hunter will also be in attendance to meet and greet her constituents! |
Events in and Around Old Town
**CAPS Meeting at the 18th District Near North Station South Parking Lot
Tuesday, August 4th, 5pm - 7pm
1821/1823 Beat Meeting
ALL MEMBERS WELCOME FOR A COMMUNITY BBQ !!!
**Meet and Greet Rep. Ken Dunkin and Sen. Mattie Hunter
Tuesday, August 4th, 6pm -- 7:30pm Newberry Library
60 W. Walton St.
***27th Ward Community Forum on Chicago 2016
Tuesday, August 4th, 6pm
First Baptist Congregational Church
1613 W. Washington Blvd.
Lori Healey, president of Chicago 2016, talks about the Olympic Bid **CAPS Meeting at Shenanigans HOB
Thursday, August 6th, 3:00pm
16 W. Division
Meeting of the Hospitality Sub-Committee
**Sangria 101
Thursday, August 6th, 7pm
Eivissa Restaurant
1531 N. Wells
$15
Four different sangrias: instruction, tasting, passed tapas
**Summer Pintxos Class
Saturday, August 22nd, 11am - 1pm
Eivissa Restaurant
1531 N. Wells
$25
recipies and samples for cold tapas: class, samples, sangria
**OTMRA SUMMER SOCIAL
Wednesday, August 26th, 5pm - 7pm
Eivissa Restaurant
1531 N. Wells
Members only social and networking event |
Check Out These New Businesses in Old Town!
If you think you've seen it all in Old Town -- you're wrong. Walking down the strip, from North Avenue to Division, you'll notice a few changes. First of all, Salon Rouge, formally tucked in between Walgreens and Corcoran's moved across the street to the space formally known as Mimi Gallerie.
Then there's Bacci Pizza at 163 W. North Avenue -- stop in there for the largest slices of pizza you've ever seen -- and a free soda!
Strolling further down, you'll see Eivissa -- with a huge sidewalk patio -- here you can get half price sangrias on Mondays and choose from $2 tapas on Tuesdays!
Just a few steps away is Tousle -- a salon brand new to the neighborhood, but run by familiar faces.
A little further down the line, you'll notice the newest neighbor on Wells Street -- 33 Club. Stop in for a drink, an appetizer, or a whole meal. They've done an amazing job on the remodel, too! Need something to wear to match the new decor of 33 Club? I bet you can find something fabulous at Trevian. . . check it out! And if you need something to go with that new outfit, stop in the new and enlarged String a Strand! You won't believe the job they've done re-locating (thanks for staying in the neighborhood!)
After all this, if you're tired of walking down Wells Street, check out the City Scooter Chicago. They've got new scooters, used scooters, scooter helmets, scooter accessories. . . every style and color you could want!
A little further south on Wells you'll notice a new little interior deisgn shop -- Madeline Interior Deisgn. She's got great finds, great designs, and remarkable home-made soy candles. Definitely worth a drop in!
If all this walking has got you beat, try the Old Town Brasserie Market. Kathleen will most likely be behind the counter serving fresh cheese, baguettes, sweets -- the same fresh European style goods you can find at the main spot one door south! Get out there and explore Wells Street! | |
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See! There's plenty going on in the neighborhood -- and the City as a whole. We can look forward to the Air and Water Show, and The Old Town Crush Music and Comedy Fest (Second Weekend in September). The Art Institute is free every Thursday and Friday afternoon from 5pm - 9pm -- don't miss that! Oh. . . and the movie in Grant Park is free at sundown every Tuesday in August. You'd be fool not to go! Enjoy yourselves out there and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Old Town Merchants & Residents Association | |
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Old Town Employee Designs Rwandan Landscape
When Chris Walsh, the new Landscape Designer at Old Town Gardens, began working as a Landscape Architect, he had not pictured himself designing schoolyards in Rwanda for the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, "I had been working as a residential landscape designer" Walsh says, "and I got involved in this project about a year ago when the school and village were first being built."
Nevertheless Walsh seems euphoric about what was both a challenging and eye opening experience.
The Agahozo Shalom Youth Village was founded in 2007 as a community for Rwanda's orphans. Located in the country's eastern province, the village comprises 153 acres of land and includes a high school, residential housing, dining hall, science laboratories, WiFi Internet access and a sustainable agricultural farm. With classes now underway the village hopes to enroll 500 students in its high school, graduating 125 each year. Walsh welcomes comments about his experience is and trying to raise further awareness about the raceforrwanda. Stop by the Garden center 1555 N Wells or drop him an email Chris@oldtowngarden.net |
CAPS PROGRAM GUN BUY BACK
Did you know that a gun in the home is more likely to be used in a homicide, suicide, or unintentional shooting than in self-defence? On Saturday August 15th, the CAPS program (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) along with corporate sponsors are making this amazing program possible.
More than 25 neighborhood churches will be transformed into safe houses for people to turn in their firearms. As an incentive for people to turn in their firearms, participants will receive $10 for all BB and Air Guns and significantly more money for hunting and assault weopons.
Those who turn in guns will receive one gift card for each gun they turn in. This is a NO QUESTIONS ASKED PROGRAM. The most important thing is that the guns get out of homes and off the streets. If you have further questions about the Gun Buy-Back Program, and locations where guns can be turned in, please call City Information at 311.
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