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Old Town Merchants & Residents Association1/31/2011
daley-whitedessertgeneral room

Thanks for coming to the Annual Dinner!
DEAR OLD TOWN NEIGHBOR, 
There hasn't been much of a rest since the holidays blew by us.  True to form, Old Town barrells through winter head-on.  Thanks to the members and friends who joined us this past Thursday to celebrate a successful 2010 (not to mention forty years of  OTMRA) at a beautiful Annual Dinner held at the Preston Bradley Hall.

We now find ourselves bearing down for a record snowfall on Wednesday.  We'll get through this one too.  Then it's on to the Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, and the NCAA Tournement: All great reasons to come to Old Town in the winter. 
$10,000 in Donations made to local organizations at Annual Dinner
 
The OTMRA Board of Directors voted to present four financial awards to neighborhood organizations at the 2011 Annual Dinner.  The awards were presented in equal $2,500 amounts.
mia award
 Chicago Men in Action director Patrick Steward accepted his award from President Joseph Milito.  Chicago Men in Action promotes and supports altrernative activities for youth in the Near North neighborhood.  The activities are designed to build relationships through the community by utilizing sports and the arts as positive outlets.  franklin award







Principal Carol Friedman accepted on behalf of Franklin Fine Arts, OTMRA's adopt-a-school partner. 
 
The Near North Library Friends Association was represented by president Gail Shiner, who thanked OTMRA for past contributions and noted the 2011 donation will go to supporting a cyber-navigator positions for the branch located at 310 W. Division.
 
For the 10th year in a row, OTMRA also presented a check to the Lakeshore Sculpture Exhibit -- a public art initiative founded by 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley.  Keep your eyes open for a new piece of Public Art in Burton Place in May/June 2011!
 
Thanks to these deserving neighborhood organizations and institutions for their support and partnership in creating a better Old Town.
 
photos by Michael Kardas
 
Super Bowl XLV coming to Old Town
Think about it this way: the Super Bowl is only five years older than the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.  Celebrate this year's Super Bowl at any one of Old Town's prime venues to enjoy the game!
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DECLAN'S OFFERS NEIGHBORHOOD DISCOUNTS 

New member Declan's Irish Pub is declaring a standing neighborhood discount.  Come into Declan's, located at 1240 N. Wells Street, is in the building previously occupied by Spoon.
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All residents from the zip code 60610 recieve 20% off their bill everyday.  Join Declan's for daily lunch & dinner, plus brunch on the weekends!

WE HAVE FRIENDS!  

The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association facebook page is up and running and we need YOU!  If you have a facebook page, find us HERE and LIKE us!
If you are a local business member, send us your information, news, photos, and videos.  Send us links to your website.  Send us whatever you want the fans of Old Town to know about and the office will post it.  We've almost got 150 friends, which means people are paying attention.  Don't be left in the cyber-dust.  Get online and get seen by the masses!  Click HERE to check out the OTMRA Facebook page.
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CAPS MEETINGS
 
***There has been a change in the scheduling of CAPS Meetings.  CAPS Meetings will occur in the odd months only starting in January 2011.

Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:30pm:  Beat 1821 at the Near North Library, 330 W Division for 43rd Ward residents between North Avenue and Division from LaSalle to Larrabee. 
 
Wednesday, March 2nd, 3:00pm: Hospitality Sub-Committee at Shenanigans, 16 W. Division.  Attendance Required for all late-night liquor licensees.  All interested parties encouraged to attend.  
 
Feel free to contact the OTMRA office with any questions!
Thanks for your continued support of the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association!  The Association takes pride in the neighborhood and works tirelessly to support and promote it's member residents and businesses.  If you have any questions, would like to learn more about membership, or just get involved in the neighborhood; stop in or give us a call!
 
Sincerely,
 

Old Town Merchants & Residents Association
In This Issue
$10,000 Donated
Super Bowl in Old Town
Discounts at Declan's
FACEBOOK!
CAPS Meetings
Annual Dinner Thanks
New Show at Red Orchid
Franklin Fund Raiser -- Opportunities
JC Lind Bike Co.
Old Town Merchants and Residents Association turns 40, celebrates with Annual Dinner
The Annual Dinner went off without a hitch on Thursday, January 27th 2011.  The event was held at the Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center.  Special guests included Secretary of State Jesse White, Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. of the 27th Ward, and Alderman Vi Daley of the 43rd Ward. 
chicago smile design
Chicago Smile Design with Sec. of State Jesse White 
 
Thanks go to Table Benefactors Chicago Smile Design and MADO Management, both companies came in at the highest sponsorship level and will be receiving clickable placement on the website home page and dedicated eblasts.  
 
We couldn't have done it without the help of our committee members and Board volunteers.  Thanks to Mimi O'Brien, Joe Miltio, Linda Gits, and JC Canales. 
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Patrick and Sally Milito at the OTMRA Annual Dinner.
Photos by Michael Kardas
A Red Orchid Opens New Show
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A Red Orchid Theatre, the storefront space located at 1531 N. Wells for over fifteen years has opened their newest show -- The New Electric Ballroom.
The cast consists of Company Members Guy Van Swearingen and Kirsten Fitzgerald. 
The production, written by Edna Walsh and directed by Robin Witt, tells the story of Irish sisters who are remembering their glory days at the New Electric Ballroom and the events that have occured since.  The outcomes are hilarious and horrible. 

for tickets.

Friends of Franklin Fine Arts Prep for 2nd Annual Rock the Casbah

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Our Adopt-A-School Partner is having a fundraiser and we're helping get the word out.  Please take a look at any of the links below to see how your family or business can help Franklin raise funds to continue providing outstanding arts education for students in and around the Old Town community. 
J.C. Lind Bike Co. Joins OTMRA

jc lind bike

At J.C. Lind Bike Co., they specialize in sales and service of high-quality European style bicycles that are designed to enhance their riders' lifestyles.  J.C. Lind offers elegant city commuter bikes with comfortable upright riding postures and features like fenders and a chain guard so you can ride in your everyday attire.  They also import Dutch and Danish cargo bikes which are specifically designed to safely transport children and can function as an ideal delivery/promotional vehicle for local businesses.

www.jclindbikes.com