April 6, 2021
Hello LCA Community!
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Welcome to 2021! Lincoln Central Association continues to strive to meet our mission despite the hardships the pandemic has brought to all of us. For many years, we have brought family and friends together at five events: Spring Zing, Summer Sipper, Evening in the Garden, Howler at Bauler and the Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Oz Park. All of these have been sponsored by many local businesses and individuals, which has made it possible for LCA to provide these fun, free events. However, LCA was not able to have any events in 2020. This year, it is looking likely that the earliest we can resume events may be late summer or fall. We are dedicated to bringing our community back together again as soon as we can!
In light of these circumstances, I ask you to please consider a Lifetime Membership to LCA. A $500 membership is your acknowledgement that Lincoln Central Association is a thriving organization that contributes value to your community. This document highlights all of the contributions we make as your neighborhood organization. I know that you will agree, LCA enhances the quality of life in your neighborhood. I hope that you will be inspired to join the ranks of our Lifetime Members!
Your commitment allows us to plan for future projects and continue park beautification and improvements. As an example, we are currently working on lighting in Fire Station Park for better security, replacing the picnic tables and dreaming about a master plan for the redevelopment of the Ogden Mall Park. These are just a few of the ways in which LCA continues to work for you and our neighborhood.
Please become a lifetime member today!
With gratitude for your support and engagement in LCA,
Sally Drucker
President of LCA
You can become a Lifetime member HERE now, or send a check to:
Lincoln Central Association
PO Box 14306
Chicago, IL 60614-0306
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LCA JOINS LINCOLN PARK ALLIANCE
by Kathy Jordan
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STOP SIGN REQUESTED AT CLEVELAND AND ARMITAGE |
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Lincoln Central Association was one of seven organizations that joined together to form the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Alliance. Launched at a March 22 webinar, the Alliance is aimed at increasing the impact of the organizations through joint efforts.
“The Neighborhood Alliance is a renewed effort to bring seven associations together as one voice,” said LCA President Sally Drucker. “Our goal is to collaboratively address broader issues that affect our entire community, such as public safety, beautification, development, and support for our local businesses and institutions.”
Neighbors who signed up to participate in the webinar were invited to submit questions prior to the event on three subjects—public safety, developments at Lincoln Yards and General Iron, and dogs off leash. Participants received answers on such issues as the use of 311 to increase public safety; the need for more schools, police services and traffic considerations given the development plans; and the need for more open space to accommodate dog parks and more courtesy from owners.
Addressing the questions, in addition to LCA President Drucker, were Mid-North Association President Mellisa Macek, Old Town Triangle President Dorothy DeCario, Park West Community Association President Nancy McAndrew, Ranch Triangle President David issner, Sheffield Neighbors Association President Brian Comer, and Wrightwood Neighbors Association President Faraz Sardharia. The webinar began with each president outlining her or his organization.
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LCA is happy to announce that we have submitted a request to CDOT for a survey for a stop sign to be installed at Cleveland and Armitage. This is a busy intersection, where many children, families and others cross regularly, so we hopeful to get a stop sign placed there soon.
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JOIN LCA'S MONTHLY MEETINGS |
The community is invited to join the LCA board meetings! The LCA Board of Directors meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of every month. Currently, we are meeting virtually via Zoom. If you would like to join, please email Sally Drucker at sdsscout@gmail.com, and she will provide you with the Zoom link and the agenda.
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CALL FOR LCA NEWSLETTER ARTICLES |
We want to hear YOUR stories and share them in our monthly newsletter! Tell us about your favorite businesses, beautiful local parks, unique events, positive neighborhood stories and more. This newsletter is meant to be the voice of the neighborhood! Please send us your content ideas, stories, photos and articles to help us create the best newsletter we can.
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CPD TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT |
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Every year, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) conducts a training needs assessment to determine which topics should be prioritized for training during the next training year. As part of the assessment, CPD is seeking input from the public on which trainings should be prioritized for CPD officers in the near future. CPD has launched a public survey as a mechanism for you to provide anonymous input and feedback to the Chicago Police Department about what training you believe is needed for CPD officers and members.
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes. Survey responses are completely anonymous. Once CPD has gathered sufficient input on training needs, they will make the needs assessment available to the public and ask for additional input from the public.
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MEET LCA BOARD MEMBER EUDICE FOGEL
by Kathy Jordan
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Eudice Fogel joined the LCA Board in January 2020, and is now the Events Chair. Kathy Jordan collaborated with her for this Q&A.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois, one of four children. I have three brothers, all of whom are doctors. I went to the University of Illinois, got a degree in elementary education, and taught school on the south and west sides of Chicago. My teaching background helps me today to educate clients about the markets and pricing. I’ve been married for 40 years to Bob—Robert Fogel, an attorney. We have three children—one daughter, 38, who has been my business partner for eight years; and identical twin sons, 36, one an attorney and the other a spine surgeon. We have four grandchildren.
How long have you been in real estate?
I’ve been in real estate for 40 years. It’s a difficult thing to master. I work hard to help clients and make them happy. I only know one gear. Real estate is a people business and I love the people I meet. I have good relationships with my clients.
Is your market mostly Lincoln Park?
I have done a lot of different things over the years. When I began, you did not go west of Halsted. To be as successful as I am, you can’t limit your area of work. You cannot always be on the high end. You need to be flexible, to know various markets and price ranges, to go where clients want to go. I keep educated and keep moving. I raised my kids in Lincoln Park. They went to Abraham Lincoln school K through 8, and Francis Parker for high school. There were not many choices in public high schools then. Today because of real estate, I know the schools, the neighborhoods, after-school activities—what a neighborhood offers. Clients appreciate a knowledge of the neighborhood.
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Do you find the market changing?
Yes, with the pandemic and the looting over the summer. It scared some people. Some are leaving the city and the suburbs as well. Some chose to go home to their families when the pandemic hit, and now choose to move to where they are from, where their families are located. Others are choosing the suburbs. Many empty nesters who used to move into the city are staying in the suburbs because a) there’s more safety and b) their kids are there. Right now the rates in the city are good; there is attractive pricing. It’s a good opportunity for some people. There is more inventory in some buildings, causing prices to go down.
What is a usual day like for you?
I have coffee and go straight to my computer. I get about 200 emails a day. I go through them and answer them. I make phone calls. I go for a run if I can find an hour. I have been a runner for 25 years and ran five marathons and quite a few races. Running is my outlet and I try to fit that in. I don’t have a regular schedule with clients. I have dinner with my husband and sometimes it is back to the computer after dinner. No day is the same as the last one. I’m always working for clients. If I have free time, it is for my husband, kids and grandkids.
How did you get involved in LCA?
I’ve been a member for a while. I felt it was important to contribute to the community. I volunteered and contributed to Howler at Bauler. I also have been involved in the Zoning Committee, important to me because the committee suggests what is built and what can be built. When I was asked to be on the Board, I decided to do it because I live in the neighborhood and want to give back. LCA helps to keep the community safe and informed, and keeps the parks in good shape for children and adults.
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Do you have a goal for LCA?
I want LCA to continue exemplifying service to the community. It also gives the neighborhood access to the Alderman. The Dickens Shared Street was not helpful, and we told the Alderman that. I want LCA to help our area, to make this a better place for people to live, to add to the quality of living in the neighborhood.
What motivates you?
My family is Number One. Then helping clients navigate the real estate process. At first, they are overwhelmed. I help to educate them about markets, pricing and other issues. Making people happy motivates me, too. No deal is more important than my reputation. Do it right or don’t do it at all. Then there is the Grandparents Club. When you raise your children, time goes by so quickly. With my grandchildren, I understand how fast the moments go in a way that I did not realize with my own children. The time I spend with my grandchildren is so important.
What gets you up in the morning?
Family and work. I enjoy people. I am happy to be able to do all the things I can do. I love what I do. People are so stressed out now. I started in 1980-81. There have been many problems since then—tragedies like 9/11. I want to help people get through this. Things will get better.
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CARNIVAL FEEDS LINCOLN PARK THROUGH THE GOOD AND THE PANDEMIC
by Jill Dale
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Carnival Grocery has always been a staple of the neighborhood, providing fresh produce, a local butcher, a large selection of beer and wine, as well as many other essentials. However, over the past year Carnival became even more critical to the community, as many shied away from chain grocery stores.
“Our business has done very well during the pandemic because people preferred to shop at smaller stores rather than larger ones,” said Arthur Paris, owner of Carnival Grocery. “It was a struggle to keep the store staffed and stocked, but I have a strong team who kept the store running and a supportive neighborhood of loyal customers. It is gratifying when your business is doing well and to be able to serve the community.”
Paris is a native of River Forest who has lived in Chicago for more than 20 years. He has worked in the grocery business since he was young, when his grandfather owned a grocery store in Little Italy. Paris purchased John’s Finer Foods with his brother when he was just 25. He then bought Carnival in 2000 from a Greek family, the Costas, who owned it since the 1950s. Prior to that, there isn’t much knowledge of the history of the store, but it is assumed it has been in the neighborhood since the 1920s under the same name, Carnival.
Since Paris has a young family and lived in the area for many years, he understands the needs of the neighborhood. Because of that, he loves hosting community events that bring residents together. Prior to the pandemic, Carnival hosted pumpkin carving contests, Easter egg hunts, wine tastings, ice cream socials and even block parties.
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“The store location is really central, so I try to engage with the community when I can,” said Paris. “We like to do free events for the community, including the most recent block party in summer of 2019. The history of the block party goes back to the Greek family who used it do it. The owner even used to dress as a clown for it.”
Carnival is also known for its brightly colored murals on the Dickens side of the building. The original mural was painted by well-known artist, Romano Maschietto, in the 1990s. When it was time to have the mural re-painted, Paris enlisted the help of local artist Cheri Lee Charleston, a part-time art professor at Columbia College and teacher at the Francis W. Parker School.
“I love the look and feel [of the current mural],” Paris said. “I wanted a whimsical look to the building that people would remember.”
While the pandemic has made Carnival’s community engagement activities more challenging, the local staple continues to serve the community by offering a safe, close-by spot to pick up groceries and other essentials.
“I feel very lucky to own a grocery store in such a supportive community. I love Lincoln park. It is a great place to run a business and I couldn’t be happier with it,” Paris added.
Carnival Grocery is a business member of LCA. It is open seven days a week and located at 458 W Dickens Ave.
Images courtesy of Carnival Grocery.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPENINGS |
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Local Events
Black Beauty Festival: Joy and Magic at Victory Gardens Theater, April 10. Learn more here.
Dr. Robin DiAngelo Lecture: White Fragility at DePaul, April 15. Learn more here.
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce's Savor Lincoln Park, April 19 - May 2. Learn more here.
Coffee & Commerce With SBAC, Lincoln Park & Lakeview Roscoe Village Chambers, April 21. Learn more here.
Trash Cocktails for Conservation: Virtual Sustainable Mixology Class with the Lincoln Park Zoo, April 22. Learn more here.
Virtual Workshop: Insect Illustration with Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, May 1. Learn more here.
Local Attraction and Museum Openings
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From the Heart is an award-winning newsletter published by Lincoln Central Association. We welcome your feedback and story ideas.
LCA has received at least one APEX Award for Publication Excellence in each of the last five years and a total of eighteen since 2016. Additionally, From the Heart is the recipient of four consecutive Constant Contact All-Star.
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Winner of Five Consecutive APEX Awards for Publication Excellence
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Winner of Four Consecutive Constant Contact All-Star Awards
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