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Message from the President: "You've Got a Friend"
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"Winter, spring, summer and fall, all you've got to do is call."
- Carole King
Every day, someone in SOAR is talking with someone - including our aldermen, representatives of the Chicago Park District, police, developers and business owners, along with many others - whose decisions must keep in mind the fact that more than 30,000 people make their home in Streeterville. To continue "Keeping Streeterville a Neighborhood," SOAR remains a member-driven advocacy organization, serving residents for more than four decades. And we are grateful for your continuing membership.
It's time again to support SOAR's efforts by joining or renewing your membership in SOAR for July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. As you are aware, SOAR is Streeterville's only organization "of the residents, by the residents, for the residents" that encompasses safety, traffic, parks, real estate, greening-including planting and maintenance of the gardens at Lake Shore Park-and preservation, as well as our special projects: the SOAR Farmers Market, SOAR Artisan Market, Annual Clean-Up information/education, cultural and social programs. SOAR is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization substantially funded by our members.
I hope you will respond promptly, and generously, 
to the only Streeterville residential
organization t
hat responds to many aspects of your life here.
With your new membership or renewal, we will be mailing you a copy of the "SOAR Streeterville Neighborhood Plan."
- Please consider using our safe and secure link to review membership categories and new benefits.
- If you prefer to join or rejoin by phone, call the office at 312.280.2596, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and provide your credit or debit card number and expiration date. We'll be happy to assist you.
- Come to the SOAR Booth at the SOAR Farmers Market at MCA Plaza, beginning Tuesday, June 7. Volunteers will be happy to sign you up and hand you a copy of the "SOAR Streeterville Neighborhood Plan
P.S. To inquire about your SOAR membership status email or call 312.280.2596
 P.P.S Respond by Friday, June 10, to be eligible for a drawing for four tickets to the Lookingglass Theatre performance of "Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure."
As always, I will be happy to respond to your questions and comments via
emai
l.
Deborah Gershbein |
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SOAR Farmers Market at MCA Plaza
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The market, which features fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods, cheese and much more, will be held every Tuesday from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm, starting June 7 and running through October 25. We are pleased to announce that seven new vendors will be featured this year. We're pleased to welcome
Bennison's Bakery Iron Creek Farm Klehm Grower Underground Meats
Heartland Meats J2K Capraio Mick Klug Farm
 RETURNING VENDORS
Breadman Baking
Ellis Family Farms
Gayle's Best Ever Grilled Cheese
GottaBCrepes
Karl's Kraft Soup
Lane's End Farms
Lyons Fruit Farm
Nichols Farm & Orchard
Noffke Family Farms
North Wichert Gardens
Provo's Village Bank Shop
River Valley Ranch
Smits Farm
Stamper Cheese
The SOAR Farmers Market culinary demonstrations begin
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Carrie Nahabedian |
at noon on June 14, featuring
Carrie Nahabedian of Naha. Then s
ave June 21 for the official opening at noon, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony and complimentary
slices of Eli's Cheesecakes. Neighbor Maureen Schulman will sign copies of
Eli's Cheesecake Cookbook Remarkable Recipes
from a Chicago Legend, which will be available for sale.
Martial Nougier of Bistronomic will present a culinary demonstration at noon on July 12.
For more information go to our website and
like us on Facebook.
Thank you to our SOAR Farmers Market sponsors!
Calling All Volunteers:
SOAR volunteers help to make this market great by welcoming patrons and creating a fun and vibrant atmosphere. They also help with the overall market management by counting the number of people attending each Tuesday. We are looking for individuals to serve as volunteers for the SOAR Farmers Market. If you would like to volunteer please
email Dawn Jensen.
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| SOAR Garden in Lake Shore Park |
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Spring planting for the 20th season of the SOAR Lake Shore Park Garden will be on Saturday, June 4, beginning at 9:00 am. Volunteers of all ages are most welcome to lend a hand. For information contact Judy Birk
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Safety and Sound Management
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Coffee with the Commander: George Devereaux, Chicago 18th District Police Commander, has inaugurated a series of casual morning coffees designed for conversation,
every third Wednesday of the month.
The next summer coffee is June 15, 9:30-10:30 am, Eva's Café, 1447 N. Sedgwick.
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, July 7. For information phone 312.742.5778 and ask for
Officer Christopher Schenk.
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Traffic and Transportation
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McClurg Court:
At the SOAR Town Hall meeting on May 4, Alderman Reilly announced that a test restoring McClurg Court as two-way south of Ontario will begin shortly. The one-way access was created when 400 N. Ohio and its McClurg-access garage entrance were completed. If successful, the system will be permanent and will smooth traffic to the new Ability Institute of RIC, opening next year between Ontario and Erie. McClurg is two-way from Huron to Erie.
Lake Shore Drive Improvements:
At his talk on May 18 at the City Club of Chicago, one of Alderman Brian Hopkins' major messages was the Lakefront Improvement Proposal put forth by the Lakeshore Improvement Committee. The proposal specifically addresses the segment of Chicago's lakefront from Grand to LaSalle Drive and includes Ohio Street Beach at its southern end, North Avenue Beach at its northern end, Oak Street Beach approximately in the middle of the segment, and a narrow pathway between the various beaches. This segment of North Lake Shore Drive runs immediately to the west of the beaches and the pathway and includes two acute hazards, the intersection at Chicago and the curve at Oak Street Beach. According to Alderman Hopkins, this stretch of Lake Shore Drive, which includes Streeterville's lakefront, is the last major challenge to lakefront improvements addressed to date. Implementing the plan is long-range, will cost "a lot" and require multiple funding sources, including the federal government (Army Corps of Engineers) and the Chicago Park District. Members of the Committee include past SOAR Board member Michael Toolis, chairman/CEO of VOA Associates, the architectural firm charged with creating the plan; SOAR Vice President David Lewin, Treasurer Howard Melton, Immediate Past President Gail Spreen, Past President Christine Foh, past Board member John Bauer and members Marshall Matz and John L. Ward.
 
View Alderman Hopkins' entire City Club address. He answers audience questions regarding excessive noise at Chicago and Michigan, the once-proposed merger of Ogden and Jenner schools and other issues.
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Real Estate
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Airbnb:
Alderman Hopkins (Ward 2) and Alderman Reilly (Ward 42) are among aldermen calling for a month delay in a City Council vote on regulations proposed by Mayor Emanuel regarding leases by owners of private housing, including condominiums. Read the op-ed column they co-wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times. For
more background, check out.
Read news of vote delay here
John Hancock Name:
Could the name change despite opposition from SOAR, neighbors and many others? Read here
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Ordinance:
In the past, nearby communities were the beneficiaries of zoning changes. The City Council recently passed an ordinance benefitting underserved, underdeveloped neighborhoods, too. the story
News from Tribune Tower:
Is multi-use in the future? Find out here
Apple Store Breaks Ground:
Development sacrifices nearby trees but new landscaping is planned. Details
451 E. Grand:
Related Midwest's construction update for One Bennett Park includes removal of existing concrete foundations from the previous building, including wood pile supports close to 60 feet deep below the foundations; start of installation of caisson foundations, an estimated two-month project; new fencing and screening installation around the park and work to enable repair of the waterproof membrane above the garage. ComEd is working in the street to bring temporary power to the construction site off Peshtigo. For questions or concerns on the project, email the general contractor's on-site superintendent, Phil Schwartz
or call
Nick
Anderson, vice president, Related Midwest, at 312.595.7400.
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Save the Dates
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You must be a SOAR member in good standing to attend and participate in committee and task force meetings and to attend Board meetings.
Spring Planting at SOAR Garden at Lake Shore Park*
Date: Saturday, June 4
Time: 9:00 am
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 Farmers Market Cooking Demonstrations*
Date:
Tuesday, June 14: Carrie Nahabedian of Naha
Date:
Tuesday, July 12: Martial Nougier of Bistronomic
Time: Noon
Real Estate Task Force
Date: Tuesday, June 14
Time: 6:00 pm
Board of Directors
Location: SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson, Lobby Level
SOAR Farmers Market Opening Celebration*
Date: Tuesday, June 21
Time: Noon
What: Ribbon cutting. Free slices of Eli's Cheesecakes and Maureen Schulman signs copies of
Eli's Cheesecake Cookbook: Remarkable Recipes
from a Chicago Legend, available for sale.
Traffic and Transportation Task Force
Date: Wednesday, June 29
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: 432 E. Grand Ave.
SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force
Date:
Wednesday, July 20
Topic: "How to Handle a Protest"*
Time:
6:30 pm
Location:
TDB
SOAR Virtual Beautification Walk*
Date: Friday, July 1, through Sunday, July 31
SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force
Date: Wednesday, September 14
What: First Responders Appreciation Day*
Times: Various
Location: Lake Shore Park Field House Gymnasium, 808 N. Lake Shore
Volunteers welcome!
Town Hall Meeting with Alderman Brian Hopkins (Ward 2)*
Date: Wednesday, October 12
*You do not have to be a SOAR member to participate
Visit the SOAR
website for the latest information on upcoming events.
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Park Advisory Councils
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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 June 13.
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.
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Around the Community
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Every issue of eNews reports a sampling of news we believe will be of special interest to SOAR members.
That Was Then:
"Ben" has company! When Seneca 
Park was redesigned in the 1990's, SOAR was instrumental in the acquisition of "Ben," a sculpture by Deborah Butterfield, represented by Roberta Lieberman, a founder of Zolla-Lieberman Gallery and wife of then-Board member Richard Lieberman. The gallery, now run by their son, William, is offering a show exclusively featuring Butterfield's horses. Trot on by and take a look.
Bike the Drive:
This is a beautiful event for participants and spectators alike, running through our own lakefront. Sunday, May 29. To learn more
Navy Pier:
The Pier's Centennial officially began with the first turns of the Centennial Wheel on Friday, May 27, the opening of Polk Bros. Park, and, on Saturday, the first fireworks at 10:15 pm. Happy birthday, Navy Pier! Details
Skin Cancer Screening:
Northwestern Medicine's Department of Dermatology, in conjunction with the American Academy of Dermatology, will host their annual free skin cancer screening event, on Wednesday, June 15, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1600, from 8:00 am-11:40 am. Part of an ongoing effort to increase awareness and preventative measures for skin health, dermatologists will check participants' exposed skin in a private clinic room. Participants will be seen by appointment only. No walk-ins will be allowed. To make an appointment go to
Summer Exercise Classes at Fourth Church:
Exercise classes for men and women 60 and older will be offered July 11 through September 1 at the Center for Life and Learning (CLL) at 126 E. Chestnut. The fee of $40 includes admission to all classes.
The class schedule includes: Mondays, Toning Balls and Gentle Yoga; Tuesdays, Pilates Resistance Bands and Intermediate T'ai Chi; Wednesdays, Zing! Total Fitness; Thursdays, Range of Motion and Intermediate T'ai Chi.
For
information and to register for classes, contact Susan Quaintance at 312.981.3386 or go to
"Streeterville, From Sandbar to Elegant Residences":
The annual neighborhood Sunday walking tours sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, will start at the gazebo across from the Drake Hotel, East Lake Shore Drive and Michigan and run from 4 to 5:30 pm on July 24, August 21 and September 18. A special tour, from 2:30 to 4:00 pm on June 18, will be part of "50-Tours-in-a-Day," to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CAF. Once again, Streeterville residents Maurice Champagne, Jeff Linton and Bill Lipsman are leading the tours. Info
The Arts Club of Chicago:
A series of three public programs at past and present Arts Club locations will be a highlight of the Club's centennial. Each program, two in former locations and one at 201 E. Ontario, revisits and re-enacts a major event from a different decade in the history of modernism in Chicago with actors who will dramatize the historical record. For information contact Rachel Levin.
Learn more about the centennial
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"
Frank Lloyd Wright Edifies at the Fine Arts Building"
Friday, June 10; Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Suite 560
7:00 to 8:00 pm
"Le Corbusier Translated Live at the Wrigley Building"
Friday, July 8
Wrigley Building, 400-410 N. Michigan
"Alexander Calder Speaks his Letters at The Arts Club of Chicago"
Friday, August 12
Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario
Museum of Contemporary Art:
Belated congratulations to the MCA, named by Time Out Chicago as one of Chicago's Top 10 Museums.
Chicago HELP Initiative:
CHI has been designated the official charity for Run Mag Mile 5k on Saturday, September 10, at Grant Park. CHI is a not-for-profit organization that provides meals and social services to the homeless, underprivileged, and today's jobless citizens of the Near North Side of Chicago. The annual event is led by RAM Racing, the nation's premiere race production company. To Register
Save the Date for HELP's annual fundraiser, this year on Tuesday, June 7.
For information.
First Lady Cruises:
To view Streeterville and communities along the Chicago River, consider a Chicago Architecture Foundation cruise with First Lady Cruises.
For Info
Looking for a fun summer job? Only a love of Chicago is required!
Details here
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,
email
, or
sign up online
Lincoln Park Village:
Skyline Village Chicago is part of the host committee for an event, "A Night of Cabaret Music at the Galleria Marchetti," on Tuesday, June 21. For information and tickets go to
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SOAR Mission Statement
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To work on behalf of residents of Streeterville by preserving, promoting and enhancing the quality of life and community.
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Publication Information
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| eNews is published twice monthly by SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Deborah Gershbein, president. For information about SOAR email. 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.  |
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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
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Become a member of SOAR today to enjoy all of the benefits a membership in SOAR entails.
Join Now
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