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Message from the President: SOAR Stakeholders Side by Side
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In addition to the more than 30,000 people who call Streeterville home, some 66,500 come to work in Streeterville every day, more than 9,000 students study here and countless others arrive to see friends and families, visit our health care facilities, cultural and religious institutions and enjoy our parks, shopping and recreational attractions.
SOAR leaders are committed to maintaining a balance of interests between those of us who live here and visitors to our "destination neighborhood." We believe that we are all stakeholders and that residents have more in common with businesses and institutions than differences. We all share a passion for "keeping Streeterville a neighborhood".
That is why, in addition to individual memberships, SOAR has developed special membership categories for condominiums, co-ops and rental buildings, for businesses, institutions and cultural organizations-and even for non-residents who enjoy member benefits. To explore all membership options please visit our website
We welcome your assistance in signing up the building you live in, the businesses you patronize and the institutions and cultural organizations you attend. Please submit any suggestions to Membership Recommendation
Thank you to all who renewed their SOAR membership, as well as those who just joined during our most recent membership drive. And a very special thank you to those who contributed generously to our membership drive.
The winners of the renewal drawings in connection with the membership drive are:
Linda Avery: Tickets to the Lookingglass Theater production of "Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure"
Pamela Crandall & Michael Peninger tickets to the MCA "
Kerry James Marshall: Mastry"
As always, I will be happy to respond to your questions and comments when you reach me at
email
Deborah Gershbein
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| Happy Fourth of July |
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The SOAR Board of Directors and the Office Staff wish you and your family
a very happy and safe holiday weekend.
Streeterville's own Navy Pier will be hosting two wonderful fireworks displays over the July 4th weekend:
Saturday, July 2nd 10:15 PM and Monday, July 4th at 9:30 PM.
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SOAR Board and Satff News
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Streeterville resident Bob Johnson was elected to the SOAR Board of Directors at
the June Board meeting, He has
served on the SOAR Safety and Sound Management Task Force and now will serve as Chair, succeeding Martha Music (read below.) He serves as a part-time disaster project specialist with FEMA the Federal Emergency Management Agency and furthers his public safety enthusiasm by volunteering with Chicago's 5-11 Club, serving Chicago Fire and Police Department first responders at the scene of multi-alarm fires and extended SWAT deployments. After receiving his MBA from the University of Dayton, and a stint as Labor Relations Supervisor for the City of Dayton, Bob became a police officer, firefighter paramedic and fire chief in Ohio, starting paramedic services in three communities and was a charter member of the International Fire Chiefs Hazardous Materials Committee. After his retirement from public service, he started a recruiting company placing managers and engineers with companies in the hydraulics, pneumatics and sealing industries. Bob and his partner, Laura Small, live in North Streeterville.
Staff News:
SOAR is pleased to announce that two part-time employees have been hired to support the growing organizational needs and provide access to Streeterville residents. We now have the right team in place to efficiently and effectively support the organization.
At its June meeting, the Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Martha Music and then appointed her the new
Associate Director, effective immediately. Martha replaces Buffy Sergent who has relocated with her husband Lloyd to Baltimore. Martha has most recently been chair of the SOAR Safety and Sound
Management Task Force and is succeeded by Bob Johnson (read above).
 She is an experienced IT/Business Systems Analyst Manager. After a long and successful 26 year career with JPMorgan Chase in their technology department support Investment Systems and Chase Online Banking, she retired from the company in 2015. She lives in North Streeterville and can be reached at
email or at 312.280.2596. President Debby Gershbein said, "Martha has been a valuable member of the Board of Directors and her leadership skills will serve SOAR well in her new position. With the recent addition of Office Administrator Carole Thomas, we now have an effective, enthusiastic and accessible staff team in place."
Central Streeterville resident and SOAR member Carole Thomas, is also on staff as Office Administrator
Recently retired after a long and rewarding career as an office manager for a prestigious Chicago law firm, Carole's skills
match SOAR's needs. Carole is responsibility for the handling of all membership enrollments and renewals,
accounting, and general office administration.
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SOAR Farmers Market at the MCA Plaza
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SOAR Farmers Market Grand Opening Day:
The Official Grand Opening of the second season for the SOAR Farmers Market at MCA Plaza was truly grand - the place, the people, the weather. SOAR President Debby Gershbein welcomed the crowd and introduced our special guests;Teresa Samala de Guzman, Chief Operating Officer, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Alderman Brian Hopkins, 2nd Ward Alderman. Both
remarked on how the Farmers Market brings a true sense of community to Streeterville. Alderman Hopkins conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon. The shoppers who stopped at SOAR's information booth were treated to a "Taste of Streeterville's Favorite"-Eli's Cheesecake with farm fresh, locally grown strawberries, compliments of neighbors Marc and Maureen Schulman.
Maureen, the co- author of "Eli's Cheesecake Cook Book...Remarkable Recipes from a Chicago Legend," was also available to sign copies of the book during the tasting.
Representatives from the SOAR Farmers Market sponsors-Northwestern Medicine, Northwestern University, Capital One, The Clare, Eli's Cheesecake and Wintrust Bank-participated.
Photos by Jeff Brown, AllEventsPhotos
Next up in the popular Culinary Demonstration series will be Martial
Nougier,
Executive Chef and Owner of
Bistronomic. He
will present a culinary demonstration at noon on
Martial Noguier brings more than 30 years of refined and critically acclaimed
culinary experience. Originally hailing from Paris, France, Chef Noguier worked
for a number of highly respected French chefs such as Alain Ducasse,
Jacques Maximin, Alain Passard and Alain Dutournier before arriving
in the United States.
February 2016 marked Bistronomic's fifth anniversary. Dining critic Phil Vettel
of the Chicago Tribune named the restaurant as the #22 Top Restaurant in Chicago
also in February of 2016.
SOAR is proud to introduce Chef Noguier to visitors at the SOAR Farmers Market at MCA Plaza and thank volunteers Meme Hopmayer and Judy Aiello for coordinating the "Culinary Demonstration" series.
Thank you to our SOAR Farmers Market sponsors!
Calling All Volunteers:
SOAR is looking for volunteers to help 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. If you would like to volunteer please
contact
Judy Aiello.
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Member Offers
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First Wednesday at Lizzie McNeill's
It
is not too late to join other SOAR members for our First Wednesday event at Lizzie McNeill's Irish Pub. Come out and mingle with or make new friends in the Streetervlle community.
Date:
Wednesday, July 6th
Time:
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Location: 400 N. McClurg Court (Next to Sheraton Riverfront Chicago)
RSVP here
for a complimentary drink; b
ring a friend & receive two complimentary drinks, one for each of you
Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres on Lizzie's Riverfront Patio!
SOAR members receive 15% off on all Lizzie's food.
Canine Cruises:
C
anine Cruises:
Take your best four-legged friend on a city adventure aboard Chicago's only cruise for dogs,
 Mercury's Canine
Cruise! Enjoy a relaxing 90-minute city tour on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The cruise line is offering SOAR members one free dog ticket with each adult ticket purchased ($8
savings per dog). Print this Cruise Coupon to receive discount at ticket counter. Saturdays and Sundays at
10:15am
,
July 10 through September 25
. Located on Chicago's Riverwalk at Michigan Avenue & Wacker Drive, east of the bridge - look for our blue awnings!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs only please.
For additional details visit
Chicago Canine Cruise
Lookingglass Theatre Company:
Presents the world premiere of Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure June 1 through August 
14 in the historic Water Tower Water Works, east of Michigan on Pearson. Lookingglass dives into the
divided heart of 1908 Chicago in this daring cavalcade of slapstick, song and dance, and burlesque as
two best friends risk everything to make it to the top together.
SOAR Members get
$10 off with code
SOAR.
Visit
the Lookingglass Theatre website
or call the Box Office at 312.337.0665 to get your tickets today!
Theatre's REFLECT post-show panel discussions take place directly following the 2:00 pm Sunday matinee.
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SOAR Parks
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Ogden Plaza:
Ogden Plaza will be redone next year as part of the Jupiter Development at 465 N. Park, as part of the development of the new apartment tower. Alderman Reilly has gained the support of surrounding property owners to participate in the funding of the park redevelopment, including Jupiter Realty/MetLife, Loews Hotel, North Water Apartments, Tishman Realty (owners of Sheraton Grand Chicago.)
Ohio Street Beach and Jane Addams Park:
Swimmers' lockers have just been installed near the beach. Although SOAR has no definitive information at this time, Mayor Emanuel has proposed using the park area as a triathlon training area. In the meantime, the park is in very poor condition due to ongoing construction of the Phase 1 of the Flyover Bridge; upon completion, new trees are to be planted. SOAR also is hopeful that the underpass at from Ohio to the park will be redone.
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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 July 11.
Seneca Park/Eli M. Schulman Playground Advisory Council: The next regularly-scheduled meeting of the Council is Wednesday, August 10, 6:00 pm at the Lake Shore Park Field House, 808 N. Lake Shore, at Chicago Avenue.
Article Subheading
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Safety and Sound Management
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Save the Date:
The SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force will present a panel discussion consisting of industry experts on safety and security in communities. This event, "Living in a Safe Environment in Streeterville" will be on Wednesday, July 20, at Baldwin Auditorium, Lurie Medical Research Center, 303 E. Superior. The Panelist include personal from the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Chicago Division, the Chicago Police Department 18th District, Northwestern University Police, JPMorganChase, McDonalds Corp, and Walgreens.
Seating is limited so RSVPs are requested. For SOAR members, this event is complimentary. A charge of $10 will be collected at the event for non-SOAR members; the charge will be deducted from membership if you join SOAR that evening.
R
egistration will begin at 6:00 pm, with the event beginning promptly at 6:30.
Chicago Public Police District CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Policy) Beat (aka Sector 30) Meeting
: Beats 1831, 1831 and 1834 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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Grand-Peshtigo-Illinois:
The intersection of Lower Lake Shore Drive and Grand Avenue / Illinois street has been an ongoing and growing concern for local residents due to the high volume of traffic accidents in that location. As a response to this problem, members of the Traffic and Transportation Task Force, along with other representatives of SOAR, met with neighboring residents at 500 and 530 N. Lake Shore. The outcome of the meeting included a list of urgent and high priority problems that need to be addressed, as well as other, less-urgent, projects to improve safety and appearance at that location. Attendees also decided that working on improving traffic light timing at different corners of the intersection would be a great first step to reduce accidents.
After the meeting, task force leaders reached out to Malihe Samadi, a senior traffic engineer at CDOT (Chicago Department of Transportation) and made her aware of the problem by sending pictures, describing exactly where we see problems and proposing our solutions. She responded to our request, saying that they assigned the task of correcting the timing of the traffic lights under Lake Shore to one of their staff. The task force will continue to stay in communication with CDOT-and with residents-until this issue is resolved.
Navy Pier Flyover: A partial opening scheduled for 2017 but to see how the CDOT project is coming along go to
CDOT Flyover
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| Real Estate Development and Information |
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Airbnb: Both Alderman Hopkins and Alderman Reilly voted
YES on the House Sharing Ordinance passed by an overwhelming majority vote in the Chicago City Council on June 22. According to SOAR Board member Christian Ficara, "Both Aldermen believe there are measures in the ordinance that give thorough protections to residents of Streeterville, including a building "opt-out" list, a publicly-listed prohibited buildings webpage and potential moratoriums on house sharing in electoral precincts. These items, coupled with stricter regulations and additional funding to
Business Affairs and Consumer Protection for stronger enforcement led to their support
AirBNB City Council
Prior to the City Council vote on Airbnb, the SOAR Board voted to accept a recommendation by the SOAR Real Estate Development Task Force, to serve as both a position and an educational reference on the issue. To read the Board statement Visit our website
237 E. Ontario:
Continuing meetings will be held with the contractor, developer, SOAR and neighbors to review and discuss the plan for demolition and construction of this 24-story hotel. Traffic management will continue to be discussed at future regular meetings.
Visit
237 E Ontario
Streeterville Retail:
Members of the task force recently discussed the changing retail environment and the impact on shopping and stores for residents. If you have ideas about what retail stores and services you would like to see in Streeterville, contact task force chair Gail Spreen at
[email protected]
. These suggestions will be relevant as SOAR meets with developers and business groups now and in the future.
Tribune Tower:
Will a Los Angeles firm redevelop this landmark?
http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/6/23/12013198/mag-mile-tribune-tower-redevelopment-deal-close
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Greening and Sustainability
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The Greening and Sustainability Task Force will be hosting a meeting for residential c
ondos and co-op Board members, property managers and engineers regarding "Retrofit Chicago," a city program encouraging energy efficiency, "helping Chicago to be the most affordable, competitive, attractive, livable, and sustainable city of the 21st century." Staff members for the Mayor's Office of Environment and Sustainability will present the program on Monday, August 15, 5:30 pm at
Prentice Women's Hospital, 250 E. Superior Conference Room L North
Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Task Force Chair Jay Lubinsky will provide details in an upcoming issue.
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SOAR eNews Sponsor News
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Community Specialists:
Senior Property Supervisor Judy Rowe received the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Illinois Chapter "Manager of the Year" Award for 2015.
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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.
SOAR Farmers Market*
Date: Every Tuesday through October 25 (rain or shine)
Location: MCA Plaza, Chicago at Mies van der Rohe
Time: 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
SOAR Farmers Market Culinary Demonstration*
Date: Tuesday, July 12:
What: Chef Martial Nougier, Bistronomic
Time: Noon
SOAR Garden at Lake Shore Park*
SOAR Real Estate Task Force
Date:
Tuesday, July 12
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: 432 E. Grand
SOAR Board of Directors
Date: Tuesday, July 19
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: TBD
SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force
Date: Wednesday,
July 20
Topic: "Living in a Safe Environment in Streeterville"
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Baldwin Auditorium, Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior
Registration: To come
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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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.
Movies at Lake Shore Park
- Friday, July 8, "Jurassic World," produced by Friends of Lake Shore Park
- Sunday, July 17 "The Martian," presented by the Chicago Park District;
- Monday, August 29, "Zootopia," produced by Friends of Lake Shore Park.
For film lovers of all ages. Come early, bring chairs, blankets, food. No alcohol or glass bottles, please. Films screen at dusk-generally 8:30 pm.
Museum of Contemporary Art:
A new season for MCA Stage announced here.
Tribune reviews Kerry James Marshall exhibition here
l
LUMA: Loyola University Museum of Art "Sketching in the Galleries!" every Tuesday this summer. 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
Tuesdays on the Terrace: The lauded jazz series at the Museum of Contemporary Art continues through October, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. It's free for the hearing on the east side of 220 E. Chicago. Every Tuesday is a free day to view
Shakespeare in the Parks: This year's
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
production is "Twelfth Night," which performs at CST's home on Navy Pier on Thursday and Friday, July 14 and 15, at 6:30 pm
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
:
Lurie Children's is ranked the #1 children's hospital in Illinois and #6 in the country in the 2016-2017
U.S. News & World Report
survey of children's hospitals. Lurie Children's is also the only Illinois children's hospital named to the Honor Roll and the only children's hospital in Illinois to make the Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll for five years in a row. The rankings recognize children's hospitals with exceptional performance in at least three specialties. Lurie Children's has five specialties in the top 10 which include Gastroenterology (#4), Neonatology (#6), Neurology/Neurosurgery (#6), Urology (#7) and Kidney Disease (#10).
Lurie Children's clinic for trans-gender children has received a major gift from Chicago philanthropist Jennifer Pritzker.
For all the details visit
Navy Pier Openings:
Water, water everywhere-frozen and flowing. The outdoor skating rink and the fountain at Polk Bros Park have opened, all part of the Pier's
centennial celebration
.
Dog-Friendly Patios:
Disabled persons with service dogs are free to use all public services and cannot be denied
entrance to any private establishment. The latest revision of the Municipal Code of Chicago,
Section 4-8- 031, current through March 16, 2016, eliminated the need for restaurants to pay for a license
to admit all dogs on outdoor patios. However, not all restaurants allow dogs and those
who do must
follow a proscribed set of rules. Our thanks to Mika Stambaugh, director of public information, Chicago
Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, for providing information.
To read the code visit
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab:
The AbilityLab is renamed for major gift by Chicago philanthropists Patrick and Shirley Ryan.
see story here
Drug Drop-Off:
Drugs are often mistakenly deposited in toilets and drains that are destined for local waterways. Water treatment facilities are not designed to remove minute concentrations of pharmaceuticals, and the chemicals could eventually wind up in area streams and waterways and have a negative impact on water quality. Numerous studies show significant negative effects that pharmaceutical drugs have on aquatic life.
For this reason, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is permanently housing drug drop-off boxes at the MWRD's main office building, 100 E. Erie. Drop-off times are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. The new 38-gallon Medsafe drug collection boxes do not accept illegal drugs, liquid containers more than four ounces, sharps containers, needles, syringes, batteries, aerosol spray cans, trash, medical devices, chemicals or other hazardous materials. When making a deposit, users are urged to keep the medications in the original packaging and containers when possible and to place liquid containers inside plastic bags before depositing. For more information on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, please
visit.
Beach Protocol:
A reminder for you and your guests to remove your trash at Ohio Street Beach and other Chicago beaches, also to use the many trash receptacles on Streeterville streets. If you have a
suggestion on a new location for a receptacle, contact Alderman Hopkins or Alderman Reilly.
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. Once again, Streeterville residents Maurice Champagne, Jeff Linton and Bill Lipsman are leading the tours. For complete schedule or other information visit
Chicago Architecture Foundation
The Arts Club of Chicago:
Two free public programs at past and present Arts Club locations will highlight the Club's centennial. The programs revisit and re-enact a major event from a different decade in the history of modernism in Chicago with actors who will dramatize the historical record. No RSVP required. For information
contact
Rachel Levin.
Learn more about the Centennial,
Facebook, Twitter (@artsclubchicago), or Instagram (artsclubchicago)
"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
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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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