FROM THE HEART - November  2016
Dear Neighbors, 

From watching the news, we all know people are finding much to disagree about these days, sometimes even within families.  Perhaps it is fortunate, then, that Thanksgiving Day is upon us. Thanksgiving brings us together just as it first did in the year 1621. It offers a time to take stock of the bounty before us and the many things for which we are grateful. If  you are fortunate enough to live in our neighborhood, you likely have much for which to be thankful. 

This year, we ask you to join us in offering heartfelt thanks for our wonderful neighborhood. And, we give thanks to you for being a part of our neighborhood and/or for taking an interest in our neighborhood.

From the heart,
P. S. Feel free to contact me at any time at  kenneth@chicago.com  or 773.531.5515 i f you would like to learn more about LCA or have neighborhood concerns.  If you are not already a member of LCA, we hope you will consider joining today. 
INVITATION TO ATTEND LINCOLN AVENUE CORRIDOR OPEN HOUSE
November 29 at 6:00 PM at Victory Garden
You are invited to join the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln Avenue Corridor Steering Committee from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 29 at Victory Gardens Theatre (2433 N. Lincoln Avenue) for an Open House to review the Steering Committee's Lincoln Avenue Corridor recommendations. Admission is free. Read more about this event.

Please RSVP by Monday, November 28. RSVPs are requested but not required.

Tuesday, December 13th
LCA Zoning Committee Mtg.
Zoning Committee  meetings are held the second
Tuesday of each month at 6:15 PM  in the back room of the Marquee Lounge (Halsted & Armitage). Zoning Committee meetings are open to the public.

Thursday, December 22nd
LCA Monthly Board Meeting
Board meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at  6:30 PM  in the back room of the Marquee Lounge (Halsted & Armitage). Board meetings are open to the public.

 Thursday, December 1
BrewLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Join the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo for the third annual BrewLights from 5:30-9:00 PM on Thursday December 1. This adults-only (21+) event, back by popular demand, will treat holiday revelers to local craft, seasonal and international beers on tap throughout the zoo during ZooLights. Price $40 (early bird); $49 (advance); $60 (at the door). Learn more or purchase tickets here

 Tuesday, January 24
Savor Lincoln Park
Savor Lincoln Park returns for a one-of-a-kind celebration of food and the Lincoln Park community. Sample cuisine from some of Lincoln Park's finest restaurants, and toast your friends and neighbors. Guests will enjoy delicious food, drink, and exciting silent auction items from Chicago's best destinations . Tuesday, January 24* 6:00 -9:00 p.m.* iO Theater* 1501 N. Kingsbury. Learn more.
topten
LCA MEMBER WINS AWARD 

LCA member Edda Coscioni
Natural Elements Salon, owned and operated by LCA  member  Edda Coscioni, is the "Best Place to Get Fit and Refreshed," according to online voting in the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Awards. The awards ceremony, hosted by WGN-AM's Patti Vasquez, was held at the Steppenwolf Theatre on October 24.  Other winners were... cont'd.
A RIBBON CUTTING IN THE HEART
New Bauler Playlot Dedicated
Preparing to cut the ribbon
Prior to the beginning of the 9th Annual Howler at Bauler, Lincoln Central Association, along with 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith and the Chicago Park District, represented by 
Kimberly du Buclet, hosted the official ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the new playlot at Bauler Park. Special guests at the ceremony included 5th District Congressman Mike Quigley, 11th District State Representative Ann Williams and Rodger Owen, the Immediate Past President of LCA. 

During the ceremony, Alderman Smith acknowledged the contributions of Owen, Rick Rausch, Owen's predecessor as LCA President, and other neighbors who have supported Bauler Park through the years.  LCA has served as the Park's fiscal agent since 1999.

Snip, snip!
Photo courtesy of Bob Segal.
HowlerHistory
HOWLER'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD

Howler 2016
Photo courtesy of  Bob Segal

As he marveled at the size of the this year's crowd, LCA President Kenneth Dotson acknowledged the vision of Elizabeth Samuels and others who conceived Howler at Bauler years earlier and helped it become the neighborhood tradition it is today.

"The idea was to do something in Bauler Park to bring people together, to bring out families," said Elizabeth, who started Howler at Bauler nine years ago with Dave Varnerin and Jennifer Uson.

The first Howler drew an estimated 150 people. "We had 15 different neighbors volunteer for the event. The park was full-of parents and kids," said Elizabeth. "We had many more people show up than we anticipated."
 
There was a balloon artist (Jennifer Uson's nephew), and a singer from Farm in the Zoo at Lincoln Park. Stations were set up for kids to go trick-or-treating, and games completed the entertainment. Cont'd.
topTop 10, cont'd

Molly's Cupcakes  for "Best Place for Coffee & Sweets";  Nookies  for "Best Place to Brunch";  Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop  for "Best Place to Shop"; the  J. Parker  for "Best Place to Drink"; Westend Dental for "Best Neighborhood Service Provider"; Lincoln Park Zoo  for "Best Place for Arts and Culture"; and  Summer House Santa Monica  for "Best Place to Dine." 

The  Chamber  also initiated their "Neighborhood Champion" awards this year to be given annually to one business and one resident in Lincoln Park for the positive impact they have made in the community. The inaugural business award recipient was  Green City Market  and the inaugural resident award recipient was LCA President  Kenneth Dotson
historyHowler, cont'd

"There was such enthusiasm for neighbors coming together to meet each other," Elizabeth said. "That's the feedback we got after each event. There was a great sense of community."

Told that this 1,100 people attended this year's event Elizabeth said, "That's so exciting. Every year it's grown and become more popular.  People embraced the idea from the beginning and it's still bringing families together."

Other founding volunteers were former LCA President Rick Rausch, Marie Boucher, Yvonne Williams, Charla Whitley, and Nancy Thomas. Former LCA Board members Paul Maggio and Sally Drucker, among others, also played important roles in helping establish the event in subsequent years. 

According to Drucker "Howler has created a tremendous amount of goodwill in the neighborhood over the years."
A HOWL OF A GOOD TIME
Record Crowd of 1,100 Attends 9th Annual Howler at Bauler

A Record Crowd Filled Bauler Park on Saturday, October 29th.

Haunting Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Bob Segal.
A crowd of 1,100 attended LCA's  9th Annual Howler at Bauler, the largest in the event's history . Special guests included 5th District Congressman Mike Quigley, 11th District State Rep. Ann Williams and 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith.

Children of all ages enjoyed games, dancing to music of, and the magic of Danny Orleans America's premier family magician, whose performance was sponsored by our friends at Bridgeview Bank Wizard Gary Sinclair led the annual costume parade, always one of the event's most popular activities.
Ready to Protect & Serve
Photo courtesy of Bob Segal.
The Parade featured creative and amusing costumes of many types.  A face  painter and balloon artist were also on hand to help entertain the youngsters.

Screams of joy greeted the arrival of Engine 22 from the Lincoln ParkFire House, as children  rushed to get in line to climb into the driver's seat or don a fire fighter's hat. Cont'd.
HER HEART IS IN SCHOOLS
By Kathy Jordan

LCA member, Nada Riley
Nada Riley says she's been "fortunate through the years to have opportunities to volunteer, to be connected." Schools in Lincoln Park, however, consider themselves to be fortunate to have Nada working with them, a connection that has existed for 30-plus years.
 
It began at an early age when Nada was a student at Abraham Lincoln School. Later, her daughter, Kim, attended Lincoln Elementary and Lincoln Park High School (LPHS).  Now her niece is a senior at LPHS.  Nada is a community representative on both the Lincoln Elementary and LPHS Local School Councils, as she has been since her daughter attended the schools.

She also is facilities co-coordinator for the #1School1Community program at Lincoln Park High School, and has helped to coordinate volunteer painting days that have resulted in 51 classrooms--one third of all classrooms--being painted within one year.  
 
"There's been a lot of support from members of the community," Nada said, "and the Alderman [Michele Smith] gave strong support. In fact, Michele and her staff were often part of the crews." Just recently an alumni group came in on a Sunday and painted a classroom as part of their reunion activities. Nada hopes to get other alumni groups interested by establishing a competition.
 
"There are no boundaries when it comes to community efforts, Nada said."We're all connected in the community. It encompasses all of us. Cont'd.
UNDERCOVER IN THE HEART
LCA Arranges Congressional Assignment

He's been on the production line at Affy Tapple, ridden on the back of
Quigley was suited to be a fireman.
a garbage truck, and helped a keeper at Lincoln Park Zoo, among other "jobs." His most recent gig? Chicago Firefighter at the Lincoln Park Firehouse at Armitage and Larrabee.
 
It's all a part of 5th District Congressman Mike Quigley's " Undercover Congressman," a program that takes him inside his District's businesses and services for a close-up view at what goes on. Patterned after TV's "Undercover Boss," Quigley told  DNAinfo , "It's a good listening device. I learn a great deal. It shows me what is needed. I see how important good equipment is."
 
The Congressman's visit to the Fire Station was arranged by Lincoln Central Association.  Upon learning of the program earlier this, LCA suggested an undercover operation in the Lincoln Central neighborhood and compiled a list of opportunities. While the Fire Station was at the top of the list, LCA provided a variety of alternatives-some more serious than the others.  Cont'd.
IMPORTANT NOTE
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HowlHowl of a Good Time, cont'd. 
Jeff Lawler of Geja's Cafe, is always serving the neighborhood.
LCA member and sponsor Jeff Lawler, proprietor of Geja's Cafe and always a favorite at LCA events, provided complimentary cheese and chocolate fondue served hot with bread, cake, grapes and strawberries throughout the two-hour event. (If you enjoyed these offerings at the event, they are available on Geja's new To Go Menu.) Candy, hot chocolate from City Grounds, and cider were served by LCA volunteers. Bentley's Pet Stuff provided dog owners with delicious treats to take home to their pets. Bentley's has opened a new store at 2210 N. Halsted Street.

 
Two raffle drawings brought guests prizes ranging from 3 pair of Blackhawks tickets, Coldplay tickets, a 40-inch television set, gift certificates from restaurants and salons, a Chicago tour by one of the City's top rated guides, children's books and more. In addition to LCA, raffle donors included Lettuce Entertain You, Oyster Bah, Anne Moore, James Borkman, Live Nation, Natural Elements Salon, Navy PierNails Boutique and Bridgeview Bank.
 
"This was a great event," said Alex Hlavacek, LCA Events Chairman. 
The Annual Costume
Parade 
Photo courtesy of Bob Segal
"We got rave reviews, with not a complaint in the crowd. It was just wonderful," he said, adding that volunteers from present and past boards, and our generous sponsors, of course, made it all possible. "Thanks to everyone involved, the event was a total success."
 nada
 Her Heart is in the Schools, cont'd.
 

Riley leading a school field trip.
"We cross lines. I sit on the board of  Park West Community Association  and served on the  Mid-North Association  Board and as President. "She is a member of LCA and was recruited to serve on the Community Affairs Committee, for which schools are a top priority, by Committee Chair Betsy Costello. Along with LCA President Kenneth Dotson and representatives of other neighborhood organizations, Nada also serves on the Neighborhood Liaison Community working with  McCaffery Interests and Hines  on community outreach during  redevelopment  of the former Children's Memorial Hospital property.
 
But the schools remain a top priority for her. Asked what she would say to other parents, she replied,  "You have a great opportunity to be part of the community, to build friendships and relationships in an informal way.  There's a place for everyone in the schools--arts and crafts, great books, classroom volunteers, room parent." Nada says kids at the high school level appreciate having volunteers there, and all of the departments have opportunities and appreciate help.

"It's important for children to see that their parents are involved in working to make things better," Nada says. "It provides such a wonderful model for kids." Her own daughter was at her side 85% of the time in high school, Nada says. "The requirement for students was 40 hours of community service a year. When my daughter graduated, she had 750 volunteer hours."

"It's a different way for parents to connect with kids and there are so many opportunities within and outside of the neighborhood," Nada says, adding "I'm persistent. You can't wear me down. But I couldn't do anything without support of others."
Undercover Congressman, cont'd
FiremanQuigley

"We'd never done the program through a neighborhood organization before," said Kris Shaw, Deputy District Director for the Congressman and a frequent guest at LCA Board meetings. "We had a good laugh at some of the "job opportunities" LCA sent us." Once Congressman Quigley decided on the fire station assignment, LCA introduced Shaw to the appropriate contacts at the station and alerted
DNAinfo reporter  Ted Cox who wrote an in-depth article about Rep. Quigley's visit.

The Lincoln Park Firehouse visit was not the Congressman's first fire-connected stint. He operated a boom microphone for a shooting of TV's popular "Chicago
Captain Kitowski and Rep. Quigley.  
Photo courtesy of Ted Cox/DNAinfo.
Fire," where his greatest concern was not hitting any of the actors in the head.
 
His three-hour stay at the Lincoln Park Firehouse included washing windows, opening a hydrant and flushing out hoses, all part of the daily routine. Captain Ronald Kitowski helped the Congressman put on full gear, including an  oxygen tank, all of which weighed about 100 pounds.  "Here's the thing," the captain said as Quigley donned his hat. "You have to have all this equipment on in one minute."
 
Only one "run," to a clinic to assist with someone having an asthma attack, occurred during the Congressman's visit.  Following the run, Quigley helped guide Engine 22 back into the station. He concluded his visit by eating lunch with the firemen and discussing a wide range of topics.
$20 MILLION COMING TO LINCOLN PARK HIGH


Alderman Smith, Cindy Schnoll, Mayor Emanuel, Nada Riley, Jennifer Fardy and Amy Zemnick
Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited Lincoln Park High School on a November Saturday to make an announcement that thrilled his audience of parents, teachers, students and neighborhood supporters.  

Crediting Alderman Michele Smith with the growth of the school, the Mayor said $20 million has been awarded to Lincoln Park High School to make upgrades in the cafeteria and kitchen, the drama center, mechanicals and roofing.
 
"You have an incredible high school right here in your neighborhood," Mayor Emmanuel said, "one of the best in the United States, thanks to your Alderman, principal, the teachers, parents and students."
 
Alderman Smith said her goal is to keep families in the neighborhood, and "education is the lynchpin to keeping people here.  These funds are the result of all of your hard work," she told the audience.
 
In welcoming remarks, Principal Michael Boraz cited the statistics showing the improvement in test results, making the school in the top 4% in the world.  He also lauded the diversity in the high school's students, noting that WBEZ named LPHS " the most diverse school in Chicago."
 
The gathering was hosted by the 1School1Community initiative to make Lincoln Park High School the #1 choice for neighborhood families and included tours of the school. 

Lincoln Central Association is a non-profit organization with limited resources. All of our activities to improve and beautify your neighborhood rely on unpaid volunteers and your tax deductible donations. We are deeply grateful to the following organizations who have helped offset many of the expenses associated with Howler at Bauler. Please express your gratitude and patronize these businesses whenever possible.  BGD&C Luxury Custom Home Builders Bridgeview Bank Group Geja's Cafe Thomas Ward Insurance;  The Harris Company; Carnival Grocery and  AlphaGraphics, the official printer of Lincoln Central Association.

Please contact us if you are interestwd in becomig an LCA sponsor.

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From the Heart  is an award winning newsletter published monthly by Lincoln Central Association. Please email story ideas to c o-editors,  Kenneth Dotson  and  Kathy Jordan.

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