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e-NewsBriefs is published twice a month by SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Christine A. Foh, president. We welcome news tips for our consideration and feedback for our edification; send these to Rosalie Harris, editor. For further information about SOAR, contact Buffy Sergent, associate director and co-editor. If you have questions about any news we've included, please use the contact information provided within each item. If you're reading a copy forwarded from a friend and would like to receive future editions directly: 

Often "unsung heroes," our community's doormen are often "first responders" in an emergency. As reported by local media,

Chicago Tribune Photo

Dwayne Neff, the doorman at the Talbott Hotel, saved the life of four-month-old Jordyn Rose Howeth, whose parents, residents at Delaware Place, were unable to find an empty cab to take her to the hospital when she became ill on Saturday, March 16. Noticing their panic, Neff hailed two nearby Chicago police officers, Karen Wojcikowski and Michael Seiser. As reported by the Chicago Tribune on March 17, "those Chicago police officers put the panicking couple into their squad car, turned on their sirens and wove through jammed traffic to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, just blocks away." Just one day later, little Jordyn was baptized at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral. Coincidentally, she celebrated with her family at the Talbott, "an event the couple planned weeks ago," according to the Tribune. SOAR salutes Neff and all our neighborhood doormen for their service and protection.

Chicago Plan Commission approves Loyola-Newcastle project at March 21st meeting.  Read SOAR's testimony given by SOAR President Christine Foh.

The Chicago Park District has changed its Summer 2013 registration dates in respect of patrons who observe Passover. Registration for Summer Day Camp and summer programs at Lake Shore Park begins at 9 am, Tuesday, April 16.

On March 14, Curbed Chicago reported a Crain's Chicago Business item regarding a possible future for the site of The Spire designed by Santiago Calatrava: "Ireland's National Asset Management Agency (which assumed control from developer Garrett Kelleher and the now-defunct Anglo Irish Bank Corp.), has hired a broker to sell off $93M in debt on the 2.2-acre property at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive....This doesn't mean anyone has interest in resurrecting The Spire or its equal, only that a medley of new condos/apartments/hotel rooms may well appeal to a developer. Purchase of the debt will help settle the foreclosure case and bring some sort of solution to the years-old gaping hole--a bad neighbor to townhomes and towers clustered where the river meets the lake." 

If you notice ongoing problems at construction sites in the neighborhood, please send photos and descriptions to Gail Spreen, co-chair of the SOAR Real Estate Committee. The committee will follow up with developers and elected officials.

Earth Hour 2013 is Saturday, March 23 from 8:30-9:30 pm. According to Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), "In its seventh year, Earth Hour is a global movement that encourages everyone to take positive action for the environment by switching off non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change. Presented locally by ComEd, join in as Chicago celebrates Earth Hour in front of Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel," selected as the City's symbolic gesture for Earth Hour. The program starts at 8:15 pm and the Ferris Wheel will go dark starting at 8:30 pm. Show your commitment by turning off your own non-essential lights from 8:30-9:30 pm to demonstrate your action in reducing environmental impact in Chicago.

"The Loveliest Smile"

Congratulations to SOAR member Charapin Pongtornpipat, whose photo, "The Loveliest Smile," took "Best of Show" in the recent Chicago Flower and Garden Show Horticulture Photography Competition at Navy Pier. "Pumpkin Season" took "Best in Category: Still Life." Both photos were taken last fall at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

"Pumpkin Season"

On Monday, March 18, volunteers gathered to cook and serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House. The menu included salad, sloppy joes, relish tray, chips of various kinds and berry crisp for dessert. Leaders were Mary and Jim Houston and Jan and Rich Aaron. The prep staff consisting of Arlene and Jay Lubinsky, Michele Lagenfeld, Pat Hamel, Joel and Carol Brosk, and Judy Karlov got right to work with each group preparing one part of the meal. Later, servers and a clean-up crew consisting of Buffy and Lloyd Sergent, Andrea Hebner, Laurie Walsh, Paul Ritchie, and Angela Sciortino arrived to keep food coming

Story by Mary Houston. Photo by Paul Ritchie.

and dishes clean.  

A highlight of BLUEPRINTs, SOAR's annual fundraiser, the silent auction tables this year will once again be filled with collectible architectural drawings, renderings, photographs-and blueprints!

Also works of art and certificates for restaurants, concerts, plays, exhibits, and sports events. Chair of the auction this year is Andrea Tucker. Andrea and the task force invite you to contribute items to the auction; contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have architectural/art works or tickets to share, please contact Rosalie Harris. The big event is Friday, June 14, 7:00 pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Safety and Security 

The next CAPS meeting for South Streeterville, North Streeterville, Gold Coast and Near North West will be held on Thursday, May 2nd at 7:00 pm, 115 W. Chicago Avenue (Access Living Building).

Date: Tuesday, April 9   

* You must be a SOAR member in good standing to attend this meeting.

Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Tuesday, April 16    

Thanks to SOAR member Maurice Champagne for sending this item about Streeterville's architectural secrets, from the blog written by architectural historian/critic Lynn Becker:

The French Directorie style in furniture and architecture, a small slice of restrained classicism between the imperial flourishes of the eras of Louis XVII and Napoleon, lasted only about four years, from 1795-99. On North Michigan Avenue, however, its spirit was revived over a century later, where it's survived down to the present day.

Except you've never seen it, because it's hidden behind the facade of what is now the Cole-Haan store at 673 North Michigan. It was the follow-up to developer Chester and Raymond Cook's Italian Court at Ontario and Michigan, where architect Robert DeGolyer transformed two existing apartment buildings into a conclave of upscale shops around a picturesque interior courtyard. Read the rest of the blog.

The SOAR Safety and Security Task Force wants to make Streeterville the safest neighborhood in Chicago. If you would like to join others in addressing a safety area of importance to you, please join now as we launch our 2013 initiatives. Contact Manny Martinez or Craig Kaiser.

BLUEPRINTs is SOAR's signature fundraising event and exciting opportunities lie ahead for volunteers to the event on Friday, June 14, at the Museum of Contemporary Art. If you like parties and people, contact the committee. Chair of the event is SOAR President Christine Foh.

The 2013 Artisan Market Streeterville Task Force is looking to add volunteers from now through November 9-10. For information contact event volunteer chair Angela Sciortino.

The new Communications Task Force is seeking a volunteer to consider work on Facebook and other social media. For details contact TF chair Irene Newman.