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e-NewsBriefs is published twice a month by SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Christine A. Foh, president, Irene Newman, Communications Task Force chair. 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:
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Find Us, Like Us, Follow Us
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For frequent community and organization updates, sign on to our revitalized Facebook and Twitter pages and Pinterest.   
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Top of the Issues
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eNewsBriefs Correction: SOAR and the new Preservation/Landmarks task force values the counsel of Jonathan Fine, executive director of Preservation Chicago, most recently in connection with the filing of landmarking papers for three Northwestern University buildings on Chicago Avenue. We regret omitting his name in the item that ran in the May 16 edition.
Funding of Navy Park renovation might be controversial but the improvement plan itself is positive, says SOAR. Read the story.
Thanks to SOAR member, and birder, I. Angela Daidone, for sending a recent Chicago Tribune editorial about the danger of lights to migrating birds. A reminder to everyone in this high rise community, especially management companies, property managers and condo/coop Board members. Learn more.
His mother went along for the ride, his mayor declined the honor. But Clayton Shepherd, manager of the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, set the Guinness Book of Records spinning. For news about two big wheels.
To contact Alderman Bob Fioretti (Ward 2). To contact Alderman Brendan Reilly (Ward 42).
SOAR continues to leverage the collective energy of our community in support of residents, visitors and other stakeholders. To fully realize the organization's potential, we need to better understand the needs of the community in order to focus efforts on the issues that are most relevant. Having done that, we then need to communicate our value in a way that draws more membership, energy and resources. The SOAR Board is seeking to establish a Marketing Task Force and we are looking for experienced marketers to formulate and implement a dynamic marketing program. If you are interested please contact Craig Kaiser.
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Safety & Security
| | Governor Quinn signed the bill calling for penalties for instigators of flash mobs via social media. And he did it on Michigan Avenue, the prime target for such activities. Read the story. Also see.
While contending with real crime, the Chicago Police Department's 18th District unraveled a hoax involving a reported mugging. Learn more.
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The next CAPS meeting for South Streeterville, North Streeterville, Gold Coast and Near North West will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd at 7:00 pm, 115 W. Chicago Avenue (Access Living Building).
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Clean Up, Green Up
| | The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's ongoing series in tribute of rivers, especially the Chicago River, includes a new symphony composed by Orbert Davis. The series was a reminder of the importance of business along the Chicago River in the early days of Streeterville and the beauty of this community's bridges, especially the majestic Michigan Avenue Bridge.
South Streeterville became a focus of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when tests on the grounds of new development sites discovered thorium, a by-product of the process used by Lindsay Light Company, an early Streeterville business. Since then, USEPA monitors required remediation by property owners. For latest updates visit.
The Lake Shore Park Advisory Council meets at 4:00 pm on the second Monday of each month at 808 N. Lake Shore Drive. The next meeting is Monday, June 10. Board member Howard W. Melton represents SOAR on the Council. If you have concerns you'd like to raise, please contact him.
Despite cold, fog and rain, it was a memorable Memorial Day weekend at Lake Shore Park, what with the return of the field to dogs/owners, softball players and other users after annual care-and-feeding by the Chicago Park District. Another milestone was this season's major planting by the SOAR Lake Shore Park Garden Club. The only public recreation area in Streeterville, this is possibly the smallest slice of park with the most varied uses in Chicago's system: a field house and playground; tennis courts and running track (albeit in need of repair); softball diamonds, picnic tables, the field--and, of course, the garden, both SOAR's and other spaces tended by Marshall Matz and his retinue--a real community gathering place that we all have the privilege of sharing.
A special shout-out to neighbors Dave and Jeanne Kostelansky: Dave spent hours installing a new watering system on the west end of the garden, so that the volunteers who water there won't have to drag long hoses across the track; Jeanne furnished hot coffee and donut holes to the "first morning" planters on Saturday. Other garden volunteers, all on a "first name basis," are Carol, Carol, Doug, Joel, Renee, Rich and Roz. Stop over to say hello and thanks.
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Real Estate Detail
| | Lissner Reports Thing Are Looking Up. By Muriel Glick, SOAR member/Communications Task Force. "Chicago's downtown real estate market is looking up, so it's time to stop postponing putting your property on the market," advised Gail Lissner, senior vice president of Chicago-based Appraisal Research Counselors during her presentation at SOAR's Residential Network meeting on "Downtown Chicago Housing Trends" Read Full Article
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Karen Burnett, Gail Lissner, Gail Spreen (from left)
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Fox Chicago reports, "Streeterville ranks as top market for luxury home sales." Read more.
It's a Crate! It's a Barrel! By Maurice Champagne, SOAR member and docent, Chicago Architecture Foundation: I'm sure that everyone who lives in Streeterville is aware of the Crate and Barrel store on the southwest corner of Michigan and Erie (1990.) Founder and CEO Gordon Segal asked John Buenz, chief designer for Solomon, Cordwell, Buenz & Associates, for a design reminiscent of 1930s European Modernism. The exterior is clad in white aluminum with horizontal ribbing on 8-inch centers for strength and a more human scale than the taller buildings on Michigan Avenue. And if you look at it carefully, you can see the 'crate" and "barrel.'"
Note: This building is discussed during Chicago Architecture Foundation "Magnificent Mile" walking tours, offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm from April thru November. For info and tickets.
Buildings in and near Streeterville are among the "Five Great Buildings" in this animated video created by Al Boardman, with music by Chris Zabriskie, and posted on the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Facebook page.
If you notice ongoing problems at construction sites in the neighborhood, send photos and descriptions to Gail Spreen, co-chair of the Real Estate Committee. The committee will follow up with appropriate developers and/or elected officials.
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BLUEPRINTs: The Collection Grows
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Included in the mail invitation you recently received was an opportunity to buy tickets for the latest "$preeterville Raffle," with chances to win valuable shopping sprees, tickets to cultural events and restaurant certificates. Tickets for BLUEPRINTs Collection--including small plates from Puck's, wine and beer, auction, music and exhibit tours--are $160 per person. For information and to purchase tickets click here
Rain or shine, you'll recognize our emcee, Phil Schwarz, weekend meteorologist for ABC 7.
And if you don't recognize neighbor Michael Toolis, recipient of this year's SOAR "Vision into Reality," award, you're sure to know some of the important buildings designed by his firm, VOA Associates.
Recent additions to the silent auction are a private tour of existing and lost buildings "Michigan Avenue á la Françoise"- that is, with French architectural influence. Other items in the Collection include a dining certificate for Le Petit Paris; an extraordinary hand-colored etching of the historic Prentice Hospital and environs; and 2013-14 season passes to Lookingglass Theatre and a rare banner from a previous show, Peter Pan. View the complete Collection on Pinterest.
With gratitude, we acknowledge this year's sponsors to date: James & Mary Houston, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Wolin-Levin, Streeterville Properties, and Maury & Judy Fantus, as well as in-kind contributors, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Wolfgang Puck.
   
We are in need of many, many volunteers for this our biggest event of the year! Volunteers are needed for day-of event activities from 4:00 - 11:00 pm for various jobs: carting auction items to the MCA, setting up, greeters, check-in/reception, silent auction monitors, silent auction check-out, floaters, cashiers, and more!
Email Sue Graff and let her know: how long you wish to work, what hours and what your preferred position would be. Please help us out by being flexible with the job assignment. If you work a 3-hour shift, there will be no cost to you to attend BLUEPRINTs 2013! For shifts of less than three hours, there will be a $75 charge to cover the food and beverage costs.
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Artisan Market Streeterville
| |  Last year, more than 2,000 shoppers accounted for doubling the sales of previous Artisan Market Days. No wonder why confirmations from the best-sellers of 2012 are rolling in, including printmaker Dennis O'Malley; clothing and accessories designers Sandra Adams, Lydia Brockman, Calvin Hom, Rea Koutsogiorgas, Stacy Rauba and Yutaka Fujita; home décor artisans Marjie Best and Barbara Goldberg, and jewelry designers Mary Baim, Ann Flick, Eileen Glenn, Maggie Joyce, Gayle Kaufman, Hedda Lubin, Irene Newman, Edith Robertson and Diana Widman. The deadline for new artisans is June 30; judging is July 24. For more information and to apply. |
| Save the Dates | |
BLUEPRINTs
Date: Friday, June 14
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Cost: $160 per person
Purchase Tickets
"Streeterville: The Play" Theatre HikesDates: Sunday & Saturday, September 22 and 28Time: 1:00 to 4:00 pm Get out your walking shoes and learn more about Streeterville. The Theatre Hikes Company will present Streeterville, a play in three parts and at three different locations right here in Streeterville. This is an opportunity to learn more about the formation of the neighborhood, enjoy the weather and the company of your neighbors. Ticket price is only $15 per person and includes refreshments. More specific information about location will follow.
Artisan Market Streeterville 2013 Location: Ryan Family Atrium - Northwestern University Lurie Center, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago Authentically Artisan! Arts, crafts, food, fancies
Admission: Free of charge
Visit the SOAR website for the latest information on upcoming events.
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SOAR Board of Directors
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| Board of Directors Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 19
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson St.
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SOAR Committee, Task Force and Council Meetings
| Try it, you might like it! Go to any meeting, introduce yourself, meet the members, see what's going on, first time's "on us." Then see what volunteer role you'd like to play.
Streeterville: The Play Task Force
Date: Monday, June 3
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Location: Streeterville Properties, 432 E. Grand
Real Estate Committee
Date: Tuesday, June 11
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Streeterville Properties, 432 E. Grand
* You must be a SOAR member in good standing to attend this meeting.
Artisan Market Streeterville Task Force
Date: Wednesday, June 12
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Location: Worcester House Conference Room #2, 244 E. Pearson
Greening and Sustainability Task Force
Date: Monday, June 17
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: TBD
Speaker: Environmental consultant Rich Carlson
Topic: "The Little Everyday Things That We Can All Do to Be Greener!"
Everyone is welcome, you don't need to be a member of the task force
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Around the Community
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The Ogden International School at Walton and State (East Campus Plaza) holds its annual "Round the Owl" Art Fair on Friday, May 31 from 4-7 pm. Ogden's art program is one of the best in the Chicago public schools so have a look.
The annual Streeterville Farmer's Market on the plaza of the Museum of Contemporary Art (Mies van der Rohe between Chicago and Pearson) opens on June 4, and runs through October 29, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm every Tuesday, in sunshine or rain or brutal heat. Welcome back!
It's no coincidence, but the jazz series "Tuesdays on the Terrace" also begins at the Museum of Contemporary Art on June 4. Here's a complete performance schedule.
On Saturday, June 8, 9 to 11:00 am, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital staff invites the community for coffee and donuts from Glazed and Infused and for a hospital tour to commemorate its first anniversary in Streeterville. Please R.S.V.P., including the number of people in your group, by Friday, May 31, to Ken Labok, community relations manager, by email or 312.227.4268.
The Chicago Park District released the schedule for the 13th annual Movies in the Parks series, featuring 195 films in parks across Chicago. All movies begin at dusk and are weather permitting. Admission is free. Watch "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" at dusk at Lake Shore Park on Friday, June 21. For weather-related conditions and cancellations, call the Movies in the Parks hotline at 312.742.1134. View complete movie schedule.
As part of a City of Chicago initiative, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks 2013, Comedy of Errors kicks off with a free performance at Gateway Park, 600 E. Grand (South Lawn, front of Navy Pier) at 6:30 pm on Friday-Saturday, July 26-27. For more information.
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Business Member News and Special Offers
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5-for-4: Puck's is offering SOAR members a discount on dinners during "Tuesdays at the Terrace" at the Museum of Contemporary Art this summer. Buy four dinners, get a fifth for free. For details, click here, mention SOAR when you make your reservation. The offer is courtesy of Puck's general manager, Reinier Daams.
View SOAR Member Offers & Discounts.
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| Volunteer Opportunities |
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For information about the Preservation/Landmark Task Force contact Shelley Gorson.
For information about the Safety and Security Task Force contact Manny Martinez or Craig Kaiser.
For information about BLUEPRINTs, SOAR's fundraiser on Friday, June 14, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, contact Sue Graff. Chair of the event is SOAR President Christine Foh.
For information about Artisan Market Streeterville 2013, November 9-10 at Northwestern University's Lurie Center, contact event volunteer chair Angela Sciortino.
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 other volunteer opportunities, please visit SOAR's website. |
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Contact SOAR
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Phone: 312.280.2596
Mail: SOAR
244 E. Pearson St. Suite 102
Chicago, IL 60611
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| Join SOAR | |
Become a member of SOAR today to enjoy all of the benefits a membership in SOAR entails. Join NowSOAR congratulates the eighth-grade and high school graduates of the
Ogden International School. |
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