News from Old Town Merchants & Residents Association

Old Town Merchants & Residents Association

6/30/2010

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DEAR OLD TOWN NEIGHBOR,

First of all, thanks to all the residents and businesses up and down Wells Street and all over the neighborhood for helping make a slightly wet Wells Street Art Fest a success -- we couldn't have had as much fun without your help. Congrats to our neighbors at the Triangle Association and St. Michael's as well -- it sounds like the second weekend in June was a success all throughout Old Town! Please scroll down to read about upcoming events and opportunities. Oh Yeah -- search "Old Town Merchants and Residents Association" on Facebook and keep tabs on special offers and news concerning all neighborhood residents and businesses!

Friend and Neighbor Marsha Kaeseberg Passes -- Memorial Planned for Friday, July 2nd

After a brave struggle with cancer; board member, business owner, Old Town resident, colleague, and friend Marsha Kaeseberg passed away on Tuesday.

Marsha's sister, Claudia Coleman, co-proprietor of Old Town's Jumbalia; would like to invite all available friends and colleagues to attend a celebration of Marsha's life on Friday, July 2nd from 3pm - 7pm at the family's home at:

6801 Clarendon Hills Rd.

Darien, IL 60561

Obituaries will run in Thursday's Tribune and Sun Times.

-directions to the memorial-

follow the Stevenson South as though you were heading to Midway
Exit at Kingery Hwy -- Rt. 83 North (second exit after the Tristate Marker)
Continue north on Hwy 83, turning left onto 75th street
Proceed to the next light and turn right on Clarendon Hills Road.
Follow Clarendon Hills Road to 68th Street. The house is directly on the corner of Clarendon Hills Road and 68th Street.

Any posted items can be sent to te family's home. Claudia thanks everyone for their support.

Next Night Out in Old Town: Tuesday, July 20th!

More than ever the office is receiving phone calls asking, "how can I get involved," or "when is your next event?"
Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, July 20th, OTMRA along with Old Town Social and Zanies will be hosting the third "Night Out In Old Town" event.

These two member businesses are joining forces to offer our members a special price for a special night out on the town -- Old Town, that is.

For $20, you, your staff, vendors, or valued clients can join the fun. We'll start out at Old Town Social at 455 W. North Avenue for dinner and move it to Zanies for an 8:30pm show featuring comic Patti Vasquez.

Your $20 will include a killer hamburger, a pint of beer, and entrance to the always hilarious Zanies with no minimum drink order.

Call the office to make your reservation today! We can accept credit card payments over the phone or cash/check in person. Due to the nature of the performance venue, all reservations must be paid one week prior to July 20th. Join us -- it's a blast!

Rainy Art Fest Starts Off With a Sunny Social!

This past June 12th and 13th Old Town and all the businesses, residents, and visitors taught Mother Nature a thing or two: you can't keep a good Art Fest down!

It rained on our parade three different times on Saturday AND three different times on Sunday. How did one artist feel about this? "Didn't matter to me," he remarked, "I just had the second best weekend of sales I've ever had."

Rain was predicted for the opening social on Friday evening, but we snuck by without being interrupted by the weather. Good thing, too. For the second year in a row the Carriage Lot at 1556 N. Wells was carpeted and filled with plants from Old Town Gardens. Our members and guests dined on food from nine Old Town businesses while listening to great music and sipping on complimentary beverages. There were artists on hand to preview their work and even a scholarship award ceremony for the recipients of State Rep. Ken Dunkin's 2010 Scholarships!

Thanks go to the OTMRA festival committee and Special Events Management for their coordination and planning. Thanks to Adobo Grill, Bistrot Margot, Dinotto Ristorante, Fireplace Inn, Fudge Pot, House Of Glunz, Kamehachi, O'Briens, Orso's, and Trattoria Roma for their hospitality at the Art Fest Social on Friday night. We owe Citibank, Starbucks, Einsteins, and Fresh Choice a big thanks for helping with hospitality. And of course a HUGE THANKS to all our member businesses, residents, and the Old Town Community as a whole for their support. The 36th Annual Wells Street Art Fest will continue to allow Old Town Merchants and Residents Association to strive to make Old Town a better place to live, work, and play!

Happy Fourth of July!

Time to pull out the old Red, White, and Blue! Get out there and celebrate the United States' birthday and all of our freedoms we can sometimes take for granted. If you have some bunting, time to swag it. If you have a flag, time to fly it. Let's show Old Town, Chicago, and all our visitors from out of town that Old Town really does have that spirit!

Please have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend. The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association Office will be closed on Monday, July 5th in observance of the holiday. Best wishes to you and your families.

Chicago Men In Action Receives Help From Old Town!
If you've been reading your Old Town News, then you know that a huge portion of the gate revenue from the festivals goes right back into the community. The most recent recipient of community donations from the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association is Chicago Men In Action's 1st Annual Bridge the Gap Community Basketball Tournament. This Tournament is for local school-age students looking for something to do on Friday night. Chicago Men in Action planned six weeks of Friday night activities for local youth at Seward Park and OTMRA thought it was such a good idea, we helped sponsor the student's jerseys, trophies, and referees. Stay tuned to hear more about Chicago Men in Action's Bridge the Gap Tournament and their efforts to end violence and apathay in our neighborhood.