eNews new banner

Menu_Final
April 14, 2016   
          
In This Issue
42nd Ward Town Hall
President's Message
New Members
SOAR Meets with W
Safety & Sound
Traffic & Transportation
Parks
Park Advisory Councils
Real Estate
Preservation & Landmarking
Member Offers
Artisan Market
Save the Dates
Volunteer
Around the Community
Contacts
Contact SOAR
Join SOAR
Community Specialists
www.communityspecialists.net

 

Join Our Community 

Save the Date 

SOAR will host a Town Hall Meeting with the Honorable Brendan Reilly, Alderman of the 42nd Ward, on Wednesday, May 4, at Loews Chicago Hotel, 455 N. Park. Topics to be discussed include neighborhood safety and traffic issues, as well as the state of the City of Chicago. Registration is at 5:00 pm, presentation is at 5:45 pm, sharp. A Q-and-A session following the presentation will be moderated by Streeterville resident and NBC/WMAQ investigative reporter Charlie Wojciechowski. We invite you to submit questions in advance and RSVP to the meeting online or by calling 312.280.2596 no later than Monday, May 2.  

Message from the President:
SOAR is committed to building and celebrating our Streeterville community--and what better way to do this than by hosting a farmers market in the heart of the neighborhood! We are pleased to announce that the SOAR Farmers Market will be returning to the MCA Plaza, rain or shine, every Tuesday June 7-October 25 from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. We've added new and exciting vendors to the list of returning favorites. The market will again offer farm-fresh, locally-grown produce, fruits and vegetables, herbs, meats, cheeses, flowers, baked goods and ready-to-eat foods. The volunteer committee, co-chaired by Judy Aiello-Fantus and ably supported by Barbara Webb, Gary and Meme Hopmayer and Doug Boehm have been working hard for months, organizing the details in order to bring the market to Streeterville again this year. If you are interested in volunteering at the market, please contact Dawn Jensen.
 
We are very pleased to welcome back our returning sponsors: Northwestern University, Northwestern Medicine, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Clare.
 
Northwestern  

As always, I will be happy to respond to your questions and comments when you reach me by email

Deborah Gershbein 

Time for Spring Clean Up:
Friends of the Parks has declared Saturday, April 23, as Earth Day in Chicago. Once again, SOAR is joining with other Streeterville stakeholders to shake off the winter chill and reveal a clean spring on our streets and in our parks. SOAR membership isn't required to participate; anyone of any age is invited to join in the fun.


SOAR Clean-Up Day
Date:  Saturday, April 23
Time:  8:30 am to noon
Location:  Meet at 432 E. Grand (refreshments will be served)
Contact:  Gail Spreen 
 
SOAR Lake Shore Park Garden Clean-Up Day
Date:  Saturday, April 23
Time:  9:00 am
Location:  Lake Shore Drive between Chicago and Pearson
Contact:  Judy Birk 
 
Welcome to New Members who joined January - March 2016
We are pleased that the following neighbors joined SOAR. Welcome!

Residents & Non-Residents 
Nada Andric and James Goettsch
Christopher Finkelmeyer
Julius and Paige Amidon Litman
Carol Moss
Colleen Roberts
Gina Schwartz
Lawrence Ulanski II
Building
230 E. Ontario Condominium Association



Business
 
Tishman Hotel and Realty/Sheraton 
     Grand Hotel

To join online, visit us at www.soarchicago.org/membership.
W Hotel Meeting
On April 7, 2016, SOAR and W Chicago - Lakeshore jointly hosted a meeting in an attempt to find ways for W and neighbors to work together for the good of the community. Leading the group for W was General Manager Pete Demay. SOAR Vice President David M. Lewin led the discussion for SOAR. In addition, managers and board members from surrounding condominium associations attended and had the opportunity to raise questions and participate in the discussion.
 
After introductions, W addressed questions related to a well publicized incident and the property's response. W has 24-hour security, including, at times, off duty police from a local law enforcement agency. In addition, W is now limiting access to guest elevators during certain hours. Finally, W noted that the top floor nightclub closed its doors in 2013 and no longer exists. The top floor instead is used for meeting space and other events.
 
Demay then spent a significant period of time directly addressing questions from those present. Both W and SOAR found the meeting to be extremely productive and both look forward to The W's continued presence as valuable part of this neighborhood.
Safety and Sound Management 
Coffee with the Commander: George Devereaux, Chicago 18th District Police Commander, has inaugurated a series of casual morning coffees designed for conversation. In addition to the more formal CAPS meetings, these get-togethers encourage informal conversations. Read here for more information.

Chicago Public Police District CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Policy) Beat (aka Sector 30) Meeting
: Beats 1831/32/33/34 meet the first Thursday of every odd-numbered month at 6:30 pm at Access Living, 115 W. Chicago. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 5. For information phone 312.742.5778 and ask for
Officer Christopher Schenk. 
Traffic and Transportation
A reinvigorated Traffic and Transportation Task Force is chaired by Malek Abdulsamad, who outlines some current issues here. The next meeting is on Wednesday, April 27, 5:00 pm at 432 E. Grand. If you are a transit enthusiast and would like to be involved or share an idea, article or event with us please contact him.

Chicago Central Area Committee (CCAC) Connector Plan: The project, which is still in the study phase, will bring a new transit line that will create a fast and reliable connection between our neighborhood and multiple "L" stations, including Union Station, Ogilvie Transit Center, Museum Park and other major destinations in the city. We continue to be involved with the CCAC steering committee to assist with the connector project as representatives of SOAR.
 
Pedestrian Safety: We received multiple notes from SOAR members regarding pedestrian safety at different intersection throughout the neighborhood including Grand-McClurg and Grand/Lake Shore. Members of the task force are discussing the issues and will be bringing them to the attention of Alderman Reilly and Alderman Hopkins, CDOT, CTA and others who might help us identify solutions.
 
Other projects and involvements: The task force is also working on many other projects including the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that Streeterville institutions have committed to update periodically, the Streeterville River North Transit study and the Active Transportation Alliance Transit Coalition.
Parks

Seneca Park/Eli M. Schulman Playground: We were pleased to see so many SOAR members who attended the community meeting on April 6 at the Ritz-Carlton to hear all about the proposed future for this popular park and playground. Congratulations to Advisory Council President Marc Schulman, Vice President/SOAR Director Karen Burnett and other council officers and members who worked long and hard with Alderman Brian Hopkins (Ward 2), the Chicago Park District, Streeterville resident/architect Maria Smithburg and members of the landscape architectural firm Site Design Ltd to get to this point. Funding will largely be from private contributions, including stakeholders in the community. To read all about the meeting read this report.

From New Lake Shore Park Supervisor:
"
My name is Michael Mucci. I am the new Lake Shore Park Supervisor. I come to Lake Shore Park with 20-plus years of experience. I started out as a seasonal recreation leader and was most recently a playground supervisor at Chopin Park. I have worked with many communities and bring a strong background in recreation. I look forward to working with our dedicated neighbors to continue to make Lake Shore Park and the several playlots under my supervision the best in the City of Chicago. These local playlots include Jane Addams Memorial Park, River Esplanade Park, Goudy Square Playlot Park, Connors Park, DuSable Park, Mariano Park."  To reach Michael Mucci contact him by email.              
 
Streeterville Plazas: Our recent series on Streeterville parks has ended. But the open spaces of local plazas and walkways work together with parks as gathering spaces and shortcuts, enliven the environment and bring relief from the densely-built community. 

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT STREETERVILLE PLAZAS

Park Advisory Councils
Lake Shore Park Advisory Council: Meetings are held the second Monday of the month, 5:30 pm at the Lake Shore Park Field House, 808 N. Lake Shore, at Chicago Avenue. The next meeting is scheduled for May 9.
 
Seneca Park/Eli M. Schulman Playground Advisory Council: The next regularly-scheduled meeting of the Council is Wednesday, June 8, 6:00 pm at the Lake Shore Park Field House, 808 N. Lake Shore, at Chicago Avenue. The next summer meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10.
Real Estate

Ability Institute of RIC: On March 25, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago made the following announcement: "Let the countdown begin! The AbilityLab, our new research hospital, will open one year from today. The new research hospital introduces a novel model of treatment, infusing 21st-century biomedical science into clinical care in ways unlike those in any other hospital, anywhere. Learn more about the AbilityLab."

Dorelia Rivera joined RIC on April 11 as Community Liaison. She can be reached by email or 312.238.7522.  Until she gets acclimated, residents should continue to direct questions or concerns to Nancy Paridy, Senior Vice President-Chief Administrative Officer by email or 312.238.6208. 

 
Why So Blue, John Hancock? Lighten up! 
Preservation and Landmarking


Benjamin Marshall Biography:
Chicago Tribune architecture writer recommends new book featuring the primary architect for East Lake Shore Drive Historic District. Learn More 
   
 
Save the Date! On Tuesday, May 10, Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, will address the task force.
Member Offers
LUMA, the Loyola University Museum of Art, has reserved Saturday, April 30, as "Streeterville Friends Free Day." Follow the Welcome sign in the main lobby at 820 N. Michigan, check into the registration desk as a SOAR member or Streeterville resident for free admission. Hours are 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, guided tours at noon and 2:00 pm. At 1:00 pm, a special film will be screened: "I Remember Better When I Paint" is a companion to one of the current exhibitions, "William Utermohlen: A Persistence of Memory." The film explores the relationship between creativity and memory and focus on the artist Hilgos, who, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease said, "I  remember better when I paint," inspiring her daughter, Chicagoan Berna Huebner to produce the film. For information contact Mary Arhondonis, special events, by email or 312.915.7608.
SOAR Artisan Market
The 8th Annual SOAR Artisan Market will be open from 2:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 11. Saturday and Sunday hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Once again, the location is Lurie Medical Research Building Lobby/Ryan Atrium, 303 E. Superior. Members of this year's committee recently issued invitations to the "best of the best" vendors who made last year's event such a success. You can apply online to be a vendor at this year's show.

To join the planning committee, or for any other inquiries, email Artisan Market committee. We look forward to seeing you at SOAR Artisan Market 2016. We are very grateful to Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine for opening their doors and their heart to this special event.
Feinberg
Save the Dates
You must be a SOAR member in good standing to attend and participate in committee and task force meetings and to attend Board meetings.

Board of Directors
Date:  Tuesday, April 19    
Time:  6:30 pm
Location:  SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson, Lobby Level   
  
SOAR Clean-Up Day*
Date:  Saturday, April 23
Time:  8:30 am to noon
Location: Meet at 432 E. Grand Ave. (refreshments will be served)
Contact:  Gail Spreen
 

SOAR Lake Shore Park Garden Clean-Up*
Date:  Saturday, April 23
Time:  9:00 am
Location: Lake Shore Drive between Chicago and Pearson
Contact:  Judy Birk
 

Traffic & Transportation Task Force
Date:  Wednesday, April 27
Time:  5:00 pm
Location: 432 E. Grand Ave.
Contact:  Malek Abdalsamad   

Town Hall Meeting*
The Honorable Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward Alderman
Date:  Wednesday, May 4
Time:  Registration, 5:00 pm; Program, 5:45 pm
Location:  Loews Chicago Hotel, 455 N. Park
RSVP
 
Preservation and Landmarking Task Force
Date:  Tuesday, May 10 
Speaker:  Bonnie McDonald president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois
Details:  To come
Contact: Shelley Gorson 

Real Estate Task Force
Date:  Tuesday, May 10
Time:  6:00 pm
Location: 432 E. Grand Ave.
Contact:  Gail Spreen   

Board of Directors
Date:  Tuesday, May 17     
Time:  6:30 pm
Location:  SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson, Lobby Level   
 
SOAR Farmers Market*
Date:  Second Season opens Tuesday, June 7; Every Tuesday through October 25 
Location:  MCA Plaza, Chicago at Mies van der Rohe
Time:  7:00 am to 2:00 pm
Contact: Judy Aiello Fantus

SOAR Artisan Market* 
Date:  November 11-13
Times:  Friday, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 
Lurie Medical Research Building Lobby/Ryan Atrium, 303 E. Superior
Information

*You do not have to be a SOAR member to participate 

Visit the SOAR website for the latest information on upcoming events.  
Volunteer Opportunities
CLICK HERE FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Around the Community
Every issue of eNews reports a sampling of news we believe will be of special interest to SOAR members.

City Club of Chicago: Alderman Brian Hopkins (Ward 2) will address the City Club on Wednesday, May 18. For information/registration
 
 
That Was Then: Originally named the American Furniture Mart, 680 N. Lake Shore was completed in 1926. Designed by Henry Raeder, George C. Nimmons and Max Dunning, the building, 474 feet tall and encompassing the entire block between Lake Shore-Huron-Erie- McClurg Court, was the largest building in the world when it was completed. In its next phase, 1979-83, the building was the largest multi-use conversion to condominium, retail and office space in the world, designed by Lohan Associates for their client, David L. Paul. Its most distinctive exterior, the lapis lazuli tiled pyramidal tower, is visible from all directions, although development will continue to partially obscure the view. Repairs to the tower during conversion were made by Knickerbocker Roofing, a longtime Chicago family business co-owned by Streeterville resident Paul Cronin. A landmark with a "small 'l'," the tower reputedly was designed as a dirigible hook-up, a potential use discarded with the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. The interior now is part of the Tower Residences at 680. In the 1980's, when Playboy moved their headquarters here, the address changed from 666 N. Lake Shore because of Biblical references to the Devil in Revelations. Ironically, the company moved from the former Palmolive-Building-renamed-Playboy Building, changed back to the Palmolive Building when DK Condo redeveloped the Walton Street landmark to condo/retail space.
 
Museum of Contemporary Art: The MCA will present a major museum survey of Kerry James Marshall (b. 1955), one of America's greatest living artists. The exhibit, "Mastry," will open on Saturday, April 23, and continue through September 25. For information, including related events.
 
Internationally recognized curator and writer Jos� Esparza Chong Cuy has been appointed the new Pamela Alper Associate Curator. Esparza was most recently based in Mexico City, where he was the associate curator at the Museo Jumex. He will assume his new position on April 18.
 

Metropolitan Planning Council:
As part of an initiative led by the City and in partnership with MPC, Friends of the Chicago River and others to create a long-term vision for Chicago's three rivers--Calumet, Chicago and Des Plaines--Great Rivers Chicago will host a round of public meetings in April and May to get resident input on the draft vision, and hold conversations on how to move forward over the next year in communities all along Chicago's riverfronts. For information about and registration to these free public meetings.

The Arts Club of Chicago: A Public Gallery Talk will be held at 201 E. Ontario on Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 pm in connection with "ZIGGURAT, an architectural chimera," a garden installation by Chicago architect and urban designer Marshall Brown, which will be on display through August 6. Brown, an associate professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture recently named a participant in the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, has created a garden folly for The Arts Club. Traditionally, follies are small pleasure pavilions that trace back to great eighteenth-century French and English gardens. Brown's folly for The Arts Club is inspired by the lion-headed goat/dragon from classical mythology and embraces a world where everything is a potential readymade, subject to endless sampling and remixing. 201 East Ontario Street. Exhibitions are free and open to the public. Contact Rachel Levin at 312.787.3997 or by email.

The Arts Club is marking its Centennial with a video. See it here.

Fourth Presbyterian Church and The Clare
: The Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being and The Clare, in conjunction with the Fourth's Center for Life and Learning, announce a "Wise Aging" initiative. "Aging into Possibility: Challenging the Myths and Misperceptions of Growing Older" will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Buchanan Chapel, 126 E. Chestnut. This provocative, powerful and entertaining day of conversation will re-envision what it means to grow into the second half of life. For more information about the day's activities, including speakers and costs. To register.

Skyline Village Chicago
: The Skyline book club will discuss Lewis Carroll's "Alice In Wonderland" on Wednesday, May 4, 3:00 pm at the Prentice Women's Hospital Cafeteria on the third floor. Scheduled for discussion on June 1 is "Notorious RBG: The life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg," by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik. RSVP by email
 
The Clare, Skyline Village and the Center for Life and Learning at Fourth Pres are organizing the Gold Coast Encore Chorale for singers age 55+. Under the direction of conductor Jonathan Miller, rehearsals begin Wednesday, June 22, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm at The Clare, 55 E. Pearson. After six weeks of rehearsals, concert performances will begin in late July. No audition required but advance registration is. Phone 630.441.5157, e-mail or sign up online.
 

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, POLICE AND INSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
SOAR Mission Statement
To work on behalf of residents of Streeterville by preserving, promoting and enhancing the quality of life and community.
Publication Information

eNews is published twice monthly by SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Deborah Gershbein, president. For information about SOAR contact Buffy Sergent, associate director. If you have feedback regarding a newsletter item or plan a community event for coverage consideration, please alert us. Or submit your own post-event story and photos to Rosalie Harris, editor. SOAR photos by Doug Boehm and Jeff Brown, All Events Photography.  If you have any questions or feedback about any news item, please use the contact information associated with the item.

 

If neighbors on your email list do not receive eNews, please forward this copy to them. SOAR does not share our lists with or sell to other organizations. If you're reading a copy forwarded from a friend and would like to receive future editions directly.

  

Contact SOAR
Email:    [email protected] 
Phone:   312.280.2596
Mail:      SOAR
              244 E. Pearson St. Suite 102
              Chicago, IL 60611
Join SOAR
Become a member of SOAR today to enjoy all of the benefits a membership in SOAR entails.  Join Now
Banner