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Message from the President:
Keeping SOAR a Voice for Streeterville
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SOAR is consistently recognized as the "Voice of Streeterville." SOAR is the go-to resident organization in Streeterville. When our aldermen plan community meetings, SOAR is the go-to co-sponsor. When developers propose new or repurposed buildings, SOAR is the go-to organization. When the City wanted to transfer management of the Streeterville Farmers Market to the local level, SOAR was the go-to organization. When the Mayor's Office created a new approach to neighborhoods, Chicago Neighborhoods Now
,
SOAR was appointed the go-to residential representative.
As SOAR interacts with stakeholders in the Streeterville community, we are always shown respect for SOAR's relevant, responsible, responsive and resilient approaches to priorities. As a volunteer, Board member and now President, I am proud that SOAR's grassroots efforts are seen as setting high standards for a resident advocacy organization. Along with all Board members and task force leaders, we are grateful to take the support of our members as we meet with community and City leaders. The more members we have, the louder our voice to support our community. If you have not renewed your membership in SOAR please renew now at
Renew Membership.
And if you are reading this and are not a member please consider joining now
Membership.
Our members are the heart and soul of SOAR.
It is astonishing to remember that residential development has thoroughly turned a swampy Chicago industrial and institutional area called Streeterville into a mixed-use neighborhood in fewer than 50 years, almost as long as SOAR has existed. Since 1975, SOAR has been a continuing presence regarding issues emerging in and between all four corners of the neighborhood: from Lake Michigan on the north to the Chicago River on the south, from Navy Pier on the east to the Magnificent Mile to Rush Street on the west.
Last week SOAR sponsored a major safety meeting, "Living in a Safe Environment in Streeterville," and the first in a new series of "First Wednesday" social events planned each month. There's more to come, as you'll read in this issue. I want to offer special thanks to the sponsors, speakers, volunteers and staff--the go-to people!--for their time, talent and enthusiasm.
Deborah Gershbein
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Safety and Sound
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Call for Volunteers! Showing Appreciation for First Responders
The third annual SOAR First Responders Appreciation Day, a tribute to the firefighters at Engine Companies 98 and 13, EMTs and paramedics from Ambulance Companies 11 and 74, officers of Chicago Police District 18, the Chicago Police Marine Unit, Northwestern University Police and representatives of other private forces will be held at the Lake Shore Park Field House, 808 N. Lake Shore, on Wednesday, September 14. The day-long event requires a number of volunteers to help in planning and on-site assignments. For information contact Safety and Sound Management Task Force Chair
Bob Johnson
In other news:
The SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force presented a panel of safety and security experts to discuss
"Living in a Safe Environment in Streeterville" on Wednesday, July 20, at Baldwin Auditorium, Lurie
Medical Research Center. More than 80 residents attended. Special thanks to Associate Director Martha Music, event chair; Vaune Carr, task force volunteer and program moderator, Bob Johnson, recently appointed Chair, Safety and Security Task Force, and to Jennifer Kunde, Executive Director Government Relations, Northwestern University.
Photos by Jeff Brown, All Events Photography
To read brief highlights of the presentations and see more photos visit our website at:
SOAR Chicago
Court Advocacy Program:
The Safety and Sound Management Task Force is looking to expand the
Court Advocacy Program for Streeterville, run through the Chicago Police and Cook County States
Attorney's Office. By attending court hearings for individuals arrested while committing crimes, Court Advocates are recognized for their service and attendance, and help show that the community cares about prosecution of offenses committed in our neighborhoods. Training is provided. For information contact Task Force Chair Bob Johnson
.
"See Something, Say Something Immediately":
The importance of residents to keep their eyes and ears open was emphasized by every single speaker at SOAR's recent safety seminary. This was "brought to
home" in this quick arrest of a robbery suspect after a witness called police.
Read ABC7 Eyewitness News Article
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 oddnumbered month at 6:30 pm at Access Living, 115 W. Chicago. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 8. For information phone 312.742.5778 and ask for Officer Christopher Schenk.
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"Creating an Energy-Efficient Building"
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The SOAR Greening and Sustainability Task Force is pleased to host a presentation featuring
Retrofit Chicago
,
a municipal initiative to encourage owners and managers of buildings to implement strategies to save energy and reduce emissions. The City accomplishes this through its own technical support, expedited permits and partnerships with commercial energy entities. This presentation will be especially valuable for management companies of condominium/co-op associations and rental properties; property managers; building engineers; Board officers/directors and interested property owners. Presenters are Margaret Hansbrough, Energy Engagement Manager, Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago; Amy Jewel,
Senior City Advisor for Chicago, City Energy Project, and Jami
e
Ponce, Chicago Director of Energy and Climate Innovation, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. The agenda includes Chicago's sustainability strategy overview; the Retrofit Chicago energy challenge; benefits of joining the energy challenge and next step, followed by q&a.
Email your confirmation
soon, no later than Monday, August 8. Send questions in advance to Jay Lubinsky
, Chair, SOAR Greening and Sustainability Task Force.
"Creating an Energy Efficient Building"
Date: Monday, August 15, 2016
Time: Registration, 5:00 pm; Program and Q & A, 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Location: Prentice Women's Hospital, 250 E. Superior. Conference Room L North
  
Margaret Hansbrough Amy Jewel Jamie Ponce
SOAR extends a sincere thank you to our meeting sponsor, Northwestern Medicine
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Real Estate Development
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Peninsula Hotel Rooftop Lounge: The Task Force recommended approval and, on July 19, the Board of Directors voted to approve a 6,200square foot lounge located atop the ballroom on the hotel's sixth floor, on the east side of the building and set back some 10' from Michigan Avenue. The lounge will seat 100 people indoors and 68 outdoors. There will be no speakers outside and the speakers inside will be very focused sound.
411 E. Illinois: Permits for a 2:00 am liquor license and an outdoor seating area for 145 patrons were filed on behalf of Winters Jazz Club, a 2,589 square foot club to be located along Ogden Slip. There will be access from both Illinois and the Slip. No food will be served and no music or speakers will be placed outdoors on the patio. Live music is planned seven days a week, opening at 4:00 pm, with the final 75minute set ending about 11:15 pm for a midnight close. Patron parking will be at 474 N. Lake Shore. Opening is planned for September.
237 E. Ontario: The owners of the nearby Schatz Building will meet with SOAR to discuss their position on the treatment of the alley as a street, as proposed by New Yorkbased developer Tishman Realty, which plans to build a hotel on the property. The Task Force hope to meet with the owners to respond to a zoning letter recently sent out to notify nearby property owners that the owners are looking for a zoning variance to reduce the length of the two required loading berths from the required 50 feet to 25 feet.
545 N. McClurg. Sienna Flats, a 50 unit rental building located on the north Ohio Street side of the 545 McClurg Court building will be opening in late August. Previous proposals have called for low to moderate housing, then office space, and now market rate residential apartments.
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 gspreen@soarchicago.org. These suggestions will be relevant as SOAR meets with developers and business groups now and in the future
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SOAR Farmers Market at the MCA Plaza
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Martial Nougier, popular chef at Bistronomic, made many shoppers happy at his culinary demonstration on July 12. Thanks, Chef!
Photos by Doug Boehm
Next up in the popular culinary demonstration series will be Beatrix Chef John Chicakulas,
who will present a culinary demonstration at noon on Tuesday, August 23.
No farmers, no Farmers Market! That's why we're so grateful to the farmers who reliably arrive early, stay late-every week, rain or shine. Here's a Gallery of some of them. Visit
SOAR Photo Gallery for all Vendorsl
 
Photos by Jeff Brown, All Events Photography
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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First Wednesdays
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The first in our Summer '16 series of free social events was graciously hosted by Lizzie McNeill's on July 6.
 
SOAR First Wednesdays
Date: Wednesday, August 3
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Location: Pinstripes, 435 E. Illinois
This event is filled to capacity
Date: Wednesday, September 7
Tine: 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Location Timothy O'Tooles, 622 N. Fairbanks
Details will follow
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Volunteer Roundup
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We are looking for volunteers willing to come into the office to help send out membership, event and fundraising mailings. We also are looking for a pool of volunteers to assist in on-site registration at events. Traditionally, this group has been affectionately known as the "SOAR Office Posse." These assignments are on an "as-needed basis," coordinated by Associate Director Martha Music. If you have time, please contact her at
Martha Music
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Member Offers
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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). 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. To receive the discount, print the Cruise Coupon and present at ticket counter. Or book online at Canine Cruise's and use code 20202 at checkout
.
Lookingglass Theatre Company:
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
Lookingglass Theatre website
or call the Box Office at 312.337.0665 to get your tickets today!
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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, August 23:
What: Beatrix Chef John Chicakulas
Time: Noon
SOAR Garden at Lake Shore Park*
SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force
Date: Monday, August 1
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson, Lobby Level
Topic: First Responders Preparation
Volunteers Welcome!
SOAR Real Estate Task Force
Date:
Tuesday, August 9
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: 432 E. Grand
SOAR Greening and Sustainability Task Force
Topic: "Creating an EnergyEfficient Building"
Date: Monday, August 15, 2016
Time: Registration, 5:00 pm; Program and QandA, 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Location: Prentice Women's Hospital, 250 E. Superior. Conference Room L North
SOAR Board of Directors
Date: Tuesday, August 16
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson, Lobby Level
SOAR Traffic and Transportation Task Force
Date: Wednesday, August 24
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: 432 E. Grand
SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force
Date: Thursday August 18
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: SOAR Conference Room, 244 E. Pearson, Lobby Level
SOAR Safety and Sound Task Force
Date: Wednesday, September 14
What: First Responders Appreciation Day*
Times: 9:00 am until 8:00 pm
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 5
SOAR Blueprints Gala*
Date: Wednesday, November 2
Location: The Arts Club of Chicago
201 E. Ontario
Details: To come
SOAR Artisan Market*
Date: Friday-Sunday, November 11-13
Location: Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior
*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:
Lake Shore Park 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 August 8.
Movies at Lake Shore Park:
Here is the last film of the season, screening at dusk-generally 8:30 pm.
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.
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. Two special events were announced by Advisory Council President Marc Schulman:
Flamegrilled chicken restaurant Nando's PERIPERI, 227 E. Ontario, will donate 100 % of sales from the opening day for the planned improvements to Seneca Park & the Eli M. Schulman Playground. Sunday, August 7, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Schulman s
aid, "It is a tradition for Nando's to benefit a local notforprofit when they open a new store and we are delighted that Nando's has selected to help this important community space." . For information, and to volunteer as a greeter in Seneca Park that day, contact him at 773.308.7037 or
mschulman@elicheesecake.com.
Happiness Club will perform original hiphop and pop music, dance and rap in a free program at Seneca Park/Eli M. Schulman Playground on Tuesday, August 16, from 5:30 to 6:30pm, sponsored by Eli's Cheesecake and the Advisory Council.
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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.
1
8th Police District National Night Out: Residents are invited to join Streeterville's local officers on Tuesday, August 2, at 1160 N. Larrabee, West Parking Lot, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The focus will be on on Identity Theft, the fastest growing crime nation-wide. Learn identity theft safety tips and how you can avoid becoming a victim. The program includes professional mobile shred trucks provided by Paper Tiger Shredding Document Solutions, which is NAID (National Association of Information Destruction) AAA Certified. Bring up to three boxes of personal documents for shredding. Here is the schedule:
Paper Tiger Shredding Service: 4:00
to 7:00 pm
Games and Give-A-Ways for Kids: 5:00
to 7:00 pm
Identity Theft Guest Speaker: 5:00
to 6:00 pm
Family Style Barbeque and Networking: 6:00 to 7:
00 pm
That Was Then:
As the City approaches the 56
th
2016 Chicago Air and Water Show, note that the first location was Lake Shore Park. As the event grew, Lake Shore Drive was closed, preventing emergency vehicles from quickly entering and exiting the neighborhood. SOAR was instrumental in the show's relocation to the Gold Coast.
Read Here
Taste of Chicago, another annual Chicago spectacle, also has its roots in Streeterville.
Read here
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Pathways, the entrepreneurial organization founded by Patrick G. and Shirley Ryan more than 30 years ago, will join the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago family when the AbilityLab opens in March 2017. Pathways is the leading resource in early detection and intervention tools that maximize children's motor, sensory, and communication development.
In construction news, the existing barricade around the site will be removed and replaced with fencing and other forms of barricades to facilitate the completion of sidewalks, drives, and landscaping. In late 2016, the sidewalks will be open to pedestrians. Planters along McClurg are nearly complete, drive thru curbs are poured, and the sidewalk is substantially poured on the Erie side. Argo Tea will be part of the facility and start building out soon. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Dorelia Rivera at
drivera@ric.org or 312. 238.7522.
Run Mag Mile: New in 2016, Run Mag Mile, the only running event to take place on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, will be held on Saturday, September 10. The event is open to men, women and children, with Half Marathon benefitting the American Cancer Society and the 5K supporting the Chicago Help Initiative. For information go to
Run Mag Mile
Ogden International School. In recent good news, the school has two new assistant principals and no layoffs.
Read Here
Or, if a dance performance is more up your alley, enjoy the Chicago Dancing Festival's free, first-ever program at Navy Pier, "Planet Chicago." Programs run for three hours along the Pier, beginning at 5:30 pm on Friday, August 26.
Chicago Dance
Chicago First Lady's Photo Contest: After a picture-perfect cruise on Lake Michigan, pick your best photos and enter the 2016 competition.
First Lady Photo Contest
The Arts Club of Chicago: In 1941, former Arts Club president Rue Shaw commissioned Alexander Calder to create the mobile "Red Petals," a prominent part of the Club's collection then and now. The last in the free public programs highlighting the Club's centennial revisits and re-enacts this event by sharing the letters, telegrams and sketches that resulted in this iconic sculpture. No RSVP is required to attend the program. "Red Petals" is on view to the public from the lobby level during Club hours. For information contact
Rachel Levin
Learn more about the Centennial at
website, Facebook, Twitter (@artsclubchicago), or Instagram (artsclubchicago)
Alexander Calder Speaks His Letters at The Arts Club of Chicago"
Friday, August 12
Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario
"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 August 21 and September 18. Once again, Streeterville residents are leading the tours.
Tours
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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 monthly by SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents,
Deborah Gershbein, president.
For information about SOAR contact Associate Director Martha Music
. 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.
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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