2013 Board of Directors
Bruce Gottschall,
President Patricia Abrams, Vice-President Ofelia Navarro, Secretary Lawrence Grisham, Ex-officio Director Calvin Holmes, Treasurer Joy Aruguete Joel Bookman Pamela Gecan Edward H. Jacob Brenda Palms-Barber Rosanna Marquez Robert McGhee Guacolda Reyes William W. Towns Marva Williams Staff
Kara Breems, Executive Director Teresa Lambarry, Outreach Director |
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Dear CCLT Homeowner, 
I have so much to talk to you about this month that I don't know were to begin!
I will start by thanking all those who attended our four-session 2013 Homeowner University. Nearly 30 of you came and learned and shared your experiences and expertise of being a homeowner. I learned something new at each workshop, and I hope the same was true for each of you.
Well, the hustle and bustle of the holiday party season begins soon, along with the the extra pounds that start accumulating around your waist! Last year, the City of Chicago decided that we, as employees of the City, could be taking better care of our health, and designed a program that helps us to adopt a healthier lifestyle, by giving us some tools to eat better and exercise more. I was happy to participate, since one of my favorite hobbies is enjoying good food.
Many companies are trying similar approaches to try to help their employees take better care of themselves: We thought you might want some help and inspiration to do the same, so, just in time for holiday potluck season, I have crafted this issue of the newsletter around Living a Healthier Life!
Before I go, I would like to make sure you alll save the date for the first-ever CCLT Holiday Party! After our Weatherization workshop, one of our wonderful homeowners asked when the Holiday Party was scheduled. We thought it was a great idea, and we hope you do too. So put Thursday, December 5, from 5:30-7 pm on your calendars. More details will follow soon, but the location will likely be downtown, so as many of you as possible can join us for some holiday festivities.
Wishing each of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Teresa Lambarry
CCLT Outreach Director |
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As I mentioned above, I was very happy to get a nudge to think more carefully and be more deliberate about making changes in my life to make myself a healthier person.
And in the past year, while I haven't done anything drastic, I have changed my habits quite a bit. For instance, I have increased my walking, and make sure that I get in at least 10,000 steps before the end of the day. I often manage to end the day with closer to 15,000 steps. How have I done this? Instead of taking the bus to the train, I now walk the mile-and-a-half to and from the train every day. I also walk to errands instead of using public transportation. On the weekends, instead of spending too much time on the couch, I make a point of getting up and walking around Humboldt Park. None of these are huge changes, but they are things everyone can do.
To help record my progress, I purchased a Fitbit Flex: it cost almost $100!, but I paid it gladly because it helps me keep track of not only my steps but also my eating and sleeping. I have found that it helps to motivate me because it sends me encouraging little messages when, for instance, I've almost made my "steps" goal for the day. The other thing I like about it is that I link to other friends who also have fit bits - so we can motivate each other.
Don't have time to exercise? You might want to read this article with several 10 minute workout tips that you can do, some even while at work. Ten minutes of exercise 6 times a day, and you have your hour of daily exercise! Another small change I've made is that I am more careful about what I eat and try to eat more vegetables and fruits. I have also started trying to cut down on the amount of meat I eat. And believe me, that was hard for someone who grew up eating beef for dinner every night. Here's a link to some healthy recipes you might enjoy.
Another small change you can make that could have a big impact is substituting healthier ingredients for less-healthy ones in your baking and cooking. This link can give you some ideas to do that.
And finally, a great side benefit of exercising that I have found is that it makes me a happier person. Along those lines, I've learned that you need to exercise both your body and your mind. This article - Steps to a Healthier Attitude - may help you like it helped me.
It's only November - but let's all get a jump on our New Year's Resolutions and start living a healthier life: after all, your life is in your hands!
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Thanksgiving Tip: Savory Turkey Tips
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My sister and I used to trade-off Thanksgiving each year but last year she decided that she would like to host Thanksgiving every year. That is fine with me! For those of you who may still need to cook, however, I thought you might benefit from some tips on cooking a moist, delicious turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner table, so here is a link that gives you all you need to accomplish that feat.
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Get Involved in Your Community
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I always believe in giving back to others for the blessings that I have, which include my family, friends, and my job. If you feel the same and would like to contribute some of your time to help others, use this link to find soup kitchens in your area that are serving Thanksgiving dinners to people who need them. Make someone's Thanksgiving a joyful one, contribute your time.
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Recap of Weatherization/Energy Efficiency Workshop |
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Wrapping up Homeowner University 2013:
The Weatherization/Energy Efficiency Workshop 
After a light dinner, the little crowd that had gathered at City Hall last Wednesday evening was ready to learn as much as we could about weatherization and energy efficiency.
CCLT Executive Director Kara Breems formally opened up the workshop by welcoming everyone who had braved the brisk weather to attend. She also introduced Irma Morales, the Director of the City's Homeownership Center, who had joined us for the evening. The Managing Deputy Director of the Housing and Economic Development Department, Lawrence Grisham, also dropped in to say hello and welcome everyone to City Hall!
The first speaker of the evening was Tomas Alvarez from People's Gas. Tomas gave lots of details on the Home Energy Jumpstart Program offered by People's Gas. For residents of single family homes, People's Gas will send 2 auditors to your home to make your home more energy efficient. At no cost, they will replace your thermostat with a programmable thermostat and your regular showerheads with showerheads that use less water than regular ones. They will provide faucet aerators for all your sinks (to use less water) and provide up to 9 feet of insulation for your water pipes. In addition, they will replace your regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Again, there is no charge for this service. Participants can also receive up to $250 bonus rebate on qualifying furnaces, boilers and water heaters through the Home Energy Rebate Program. Through the latter program, participants can qualify for several different rebates. For more information, please visit: peoplesbasrebates.com.
Residents of condo buildings can participate in the Multi-Family Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Program. For condos, the same benefits apply as those described above, but People's Gas requires that at least three units from the building sign up in order to receive services. For more information on what is covered for condos, please call 855.846.1148.
Tomas also shared the Home Energy Rebate Program Boiler/Furnace Tune-Up Application with us: this rebate reimburses homeowners up to $50 for qualified boiler or furnace tune-ups. 
The next speaker was Kathleen Day, a certified Building Analyst. Kathleen spoke about the building envelope (the exterior of your building), and had many helpful recommendations for us to make our homes efficient - but not dangerous. For instance, you should not insulate your home to the point where no air can circulate. Kathleen also pointed out the importance of having a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Carbon monoxide is the "silent killer," because it is odorless.
Kathleen invited anyone who was interested to sign up as for training in the Building Analyst Certification program. This is a free program (they even provide a subsidy for participants)! For more information, contact Ebony McLaurin, Client Services Coordinator, North Branch Works at 773.929.5552 ext. 228 or ebony@northbranchworks.org.
One final program that CCLT homeowners may want to know about is Energy Impact Illinois, which provides free home energy audits to single family homeowners who organize a "house party" to educate their friends and neighbors about the program. Hosts must invite (and host) at least 5 people at the party to qualify for a free audit. You can call 1. 855.9 IMPACT to sign up or ask questions.
 
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We finished the workshop by handing out the weatherization kits to everyone. Included in the kits were plastic to insulate windows; weather stripping for windows or doors; insulating caulk and a caulk gun; and gray foam insulating strips for around window air conditioning units or big gaps.
Everybody left very well-informed and with bag of weatherization materials and a new power strip to help avoid the dreaded energy phantoms.
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Monthly Calendar of Events
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Have some time in your schedule? Or maybe you want to give something different this holiday, not the same store bought gifts? If so, you might want to check out the following classes!
Chicago Botanic Garden
Panoramic Landscape Winter Landscape Photography
NEW!
November 25 - December 9
3 Mondays
9 a.m. - noon
Design Studio
Chicago Botanic Garden
Capturing the Holiday Lights
Evening photography workshop
For students who are beginners with digital cameras:
December 2
Monday
6:30 - 9 p.m.
North Park Nature Center
Chicago Botanic Garden
Calendar of Events for December
Beeswax Candlemaking at North Park Village
5801 N. Pulaski Rd.Chicago, IL60646
(312) 744-5472
Fee: Free
Age Range: Any
Make candles the olde-timey way. With their wonderful natural aroma and color, handcrafted beeswax candles are fun to create. For adults and families with children age 8 and up; children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Registration required at 312-744-5472.
The Holidays also bring with them lots of things to do around Chicago. I have picked a couple of them that you might want to attend. Click on the title to the event for more information.
Fall French Market
November 8 - 10, 2013
Shop from 100 vendors, hear live French music, visit a bistro, and enjoy a children's pavilion at Fall French Market at 640 W Irving Park Rd.
Polish Film Festival
November 8 - 24, 2013
Chicagoland locations
The Polish Film Festival in America shows new films by Polish filmmakers from around the world for two weeks in November. Cost.
Christmas Tree Lightning
November 26, 2013
Watch the mayor and tree donor flip the switch at Chicago's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which includes a music program on Daley Plaza. Free.
Zoolights
ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of holiday lights, ice carvings, music, carousel and train rides, food and gift shopping, plus photos with Santa (through Dec. 23). Runs Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-23, 26-31 and Jan. 1-5. Free entry.
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Community and Ward Information |
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CCLT homeowners live in the 2nd, 3rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 35th, 46th, and 49th Wards. Click the links below for information regarding your Alderman, your Ward, and your Community, including links to City events in your Ward! If you are in a different Ward or do not know what Ward you are in, please give me a call or shoot me an email and I will let you know.
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Event Calendar
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Click here to visit our calendar for information on Post Purchase CCLT homeowner classes and workshops sponsored by our partners that are available at no cost.
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CCLT RESALE UNIT LARGE TOWNHOME $181,000
4 bedroom - 2.1 baths, located in Logan Square! Open floor plan with hardwood floors, washer and dryer in main level, maple kitchen cabinets, 9' ceilings, space on 2nd level for a sitting/office room, large unfinished basement.
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Your total household income
must be equal or less than 80% AMI
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1 person $41,250
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2 persons $47,150
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3 persons $53,050
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4 persons $58,900
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5 persons $63,650
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6 persons $68,350
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7 persons $73,050
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8 persons $77,050
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http://micropoll.com/t/KFDNdZQyLu
Must meet income requirements and have a bank pre-approval in order to view. Please call Nadia Stewart at 773. 909.6384 to make an appointment.
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| CCLT Homeowner Benefit: Angie's List Discount |
At the Homeowner University 101, we talked a little bit about finding reasonably priced, reliable contractors. One tool to help you with that is by using crowd-ranking services like Yelp or Angie's List. Yelp is, of course, free! Angie's List charges an annual membership fee - but if you use the discount code "EASY" when signing up, Angie's List has agreed to give CCLT homeowners and friends (who join for a full year and who are first-time members) a 40% discount on the price of a one-year membership. Enjoy!
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And remember...
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You can visit us online for information on the CCLT.
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