Community Forum on Former Prentice Hospital Building

Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Registration 6:30 pm, Program 7:00 - 8:30 pm 

175 E. Delaware Place (John Hancock) 44th Floor meeting room

For several years, Streeterville residents have watched with interest as Northwestern University considered various redevelopment plans for the site where the circular tower by noted architect Bertrand Goldberg (formerly Prentice Hospital) now stands. Northwestern has long expressed a desire to demolish the structure, but as they prepared to submit their application for a demolition permit to the Department of Buildings, Alderman Brendan Reilly requested a delay to allow time for consideration of alternatives to demolition. 

As part of that process, SOAR will facilitate a community meeting to allow both sides of the issue to present their case for/against demolition to interested residents. Presenting the argument for preserving the structure will be Jim Peters of Landmarks Illinois, followed by Ron Nayler of Northwestern University, who will explain the University's rationale for replacing the building with a new research lab. A question and answer period will follow.

SOAR members who wish to attend are encouraged to reserve a seat today by email at rsvp@soarchicago.org or by calling 312-280-2596. Capacity for this event is limited, and a confirmed reservation will be required for entry. Special thanks to Steven Levy of Sudler Property Management, and the good neighbors at the 175 East Delaware Homeowners Association for their support of this community event.

2011 Neighborhood Paper Drive , May 14 - 31 

The Chicago Department of Environment (DOE), in partnership with the waste and recyclables collection industry, has launched the 2011 Neighborhood Paper Drive, a citywide contest. 

Paper collection will take place from May 14-31, 2011. 

Please collect all types of paper waste (e.g. phone books, magazines, newspapers, office paper, junk mail, chip board such as cereal boxes, etc...) and deliver to the Waste Management recycling bins, located on the northeast corner of Ontario & McClurg (look for the SOAR banner) and the northwest corner of Grand & St. Clair.

If you are interested in volunteering to support this event please contact us at volunteer@soarchicago.org  

See you at the recycling bin!

IDOT to Hold Another Public Hearing on Heliport Proposal 

On Monday May 9th IDOT informed SOAR of its intent to announce a second public hearing on the Children's Memorial Hospital (CMH) heliport proposal.  The hearing will take place on Thursday June 23rd and Friday June 24th, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 PM each day, and will be held at the Arthur Rubloff Building, located at 375 E. Chicago Avenue.  Please mark your calendars to attend this important community meeting.

Learn more about SOAR's involvement in this important public safety issue.  

Movies in the Park, June 22, Sunset   

Come see the locally produced movie, Carbon Nation, at Lake Shore Park on Wednesday, June 22 at sunset. 

SOAR is proud to partner with First American Bank in presenting Carbon Nation, a documentary movie about climate change solutions. Bypassing politics and finger pointing, this forward-thinking documentary zeroes in on enterprising individuals -- from a wind farmer to a solar-panel retrofitter -- who are devising business-minded ways to avert the looming climate crisis. The cross-country expedition yields encounters with Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, Earth Day founder Denis Hayes and former CIA director James Woolsey, along with everyday pioneers in low-carbon living.

Carbon Nation is narrated by Chicago's own Bill Kurtis and co-produced by Chicagoans Craig Sieben and Karen Wiegert. At 9:00 pm before the movie, Craig and Karen will be present to share with the audience their experience in developing this ground-breaking documentary. Learn More.

SOAR Now on Facebook and Twitter 

SOAR has taken hold of the fastest growing communications technology the world has ever experienced - social media - and is posting on Facebook and Twitter. These tools will help you connect with more of your neighbors and community leaders and inform you about events, news and offerings happening right in your backyard.

Now you can log on to Facebook, search SOAR, "Like" us, and see what SOAR representatives, members, and friends have to say. SOAR's Facebook page will provide you with the most up-to-date information anywhere on what's happening where you are.

Follow SOAR on Twitter: @soarchicago. You will find links to must-see events, openings, articles and comments on Streeterville, dining, entertainment, advocacy efforts and more. It is in real-time, so if you see an emergency on the street, send a tweet to let others know about it; likewise, check SOAR's Twitter page to ask others.

We hope that you will tell your friends and neighbors about SOAR's Facebook and Twitter pages so they can connect with us too. The more friends and the more followers SOAR has the better the conversation, the stronger our organization and the more diverse our community.

Safety and Security 

The next CAPS meeting for South Streeterville, North Streeterville, Gold Coast and Near North West will be held on Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 pm, 115 W. Chicago Avenue (Access Living Building).

This announcement brought to you by SOAR's Safety and Security Committee.  If you have a safety tip you would like to share, please submit your tip safety@soarchicago.org

SOAR Committee, Task Force and Council Meetings

Tuesday, May 24th  Community Forum on Former Prentice

Volunteers are needed to assist with registration and check-in and to serve as greeters.  If you are interested in helping please call the SOAR office at 312.280.2596 or respond to volunteer@soarchicago.org.     

Get Involved!

There are many ways to become active and engaged in SOAR's efforts in Streeterville.  Volunteers can contribute through one-time efforts, work on special events or projects, assist in the office, or participate on an ongoing basis with SOAR's task forces and committees.  Streeterville residents 18 years or older are invited and encouraged to get involved.  For specific volunteer opportunities, please visit SOAR's website.