• LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT •

February 14, 2024

Happy Valentine’s Day LCA Friends and Neighbors!

For those of you who were able to attend the LCA Annual Meeting last month, thank you for making the evening such a wonderful occasion. The event was a great way to start 2024, celebrating with our elected officials, and welcoming Phil Skowron to the LCA Board of Directors.

Spring is right around the corner, and I am looking forward to seeing more of everyone as the Winter cloud cover breaks and temperatures rise.

If you are as anxious as I am to get outside and enjoy Springtime in Lincoln Park, I encourage you to take the leap this leap year and join a committee. Joining one of our LCA committees is a great way to meet new friends while working to improve our community. Our committees include the Planning & Zoning Committee, Parks & Beautification Committee, Community Affairs Committee, Membership & Engagement Committee, Communications Committee, and the Events Committee. If you have never served on an LCA Committee, we would LOVE to have you join us. Whether you prefer the idea of tending the garden in one of our fabulous parks, meeting with developers to review and provide feedback on proposed construction or help plan amazing parties that bring us all together… there is something for everyone. If you are interested in joining a committee, reach out to me at erik@heitmanarchitects.com.

As many of you have heard, LCA is the HEART of Lincoln Park, and the heart of our organization in YOU! On Valentine's Day, we would like to thank you so much for your commitment to the neighborhood and for being a member of LCA.

Happy Holidays From the Heart,

Erik Heitman

President, Lincoln Central Association

P. S. Do not hesitate to contact me at any time at erik@heitmanarchitects.com or at 816-668-6775 if you would like to learn more about LCA or have neighborhood concerns.

• Recent LCA News •

A Public Safety Meeting with the Mayor - And How You and I Can Help to Improve Public Safety

by Larry Sachs

I was privileged to attend a recent event with Mayor Johnson, CPD Superintendent Snelling, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Garien Gatewood, and 18th District Commander Barz that was sponsored and organized by 43rd Ward Alderman Knudsen to discuss public safety challenges in Chicago and specifically in Northside communities. This February 6th event was held at Soul Prime, a wonderful ‘newish’ soul food restaurant (opened in May 2023) at 1969 N. Halsted that received national recognition after a glowing TikTok post went viral with over 9 million views.

Presentations and discussions touched on: the need to improve 911 response times, beat patrol integrity (i.e., consistency of assigned officers), safety in business corridors, foot and bike patrol, and CPD technology (e.g., plate readers, cameras); preparation for Chicago hosting the DNC Conference this August; and crime “prevention” and why scaling up the capacity of Chicago’s impactful violent crime prevention service organizations is so important for our Northside communities.

I’m just stating a fact when I say that a high percentage of the individuals committing aggressive crime (e.g., street robberies, carjacking, store burglaries) in our communities would rather, if given the opportunity to imagine and pursue it, live the kind of life you and I want to live – but due to circumstances and poor decisions, they’re ‘stuck’ and need help in changing the trajectory of their lives. Which is why we are lucky for Chicago to be at the forefront of a national movement to help individuals at high risk for involvement in violent crime receive the mentorship and services they need to change their lives for their own benefit and for the good of our communities. Data and research tell us that our homegrown violence interruption and prevention and reentry programs (see below) are doing just that, doing it very well and producing significant reductions in violent crime – and Chicago even has a program (Metropolitan Peace Academy - Metropolitan Peace Initiatives) to train and professionalize street outreach workers through participation in an intensive 144 hour/18 week training curriculum. 

The problem is that these programs are only reaching 15-20% of the individuals who need their support, which is why it’s so important that we help to scale up the capacity of programs like: the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (Gun Violence Prevention | Nonviolence Chicago | Chicago); Chicago Cred (Our Goal (chicagocred.org); Readi Chicago (READI | Heartland Alliance); Defy Illinois (Defy Illinois (defyventures.org); and the Safer Foundation (Comprehensive Reentry Assistance (saferfoundation.org). Please, if you can, help these not-for-profit organizations give people the hope and support they need to live the kind of lives that so often feel out of reach to them. 

As individual citizens, our ability to help Chicago become the safest big city in America is limited and there are no quick fixes - but imagine if we each did just a little bit to help?  

Please stay safe, get to know your neighbors, and take good care of each other.

Thank You LCA Sponsors!

LCA is dedicated to inspiring people to join together for the social, cultural, and physical enrichment of our neighborhood, and our local businesses are a critical part of that! LCA is honored to work with local businesses to improve our neighborhood and promote their business.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Neighborhood News •

OTTA is Holding a Neighborhood Diaper Drive

Service agencies are reporting a severe shortage of diapers (all sizes) and baby wipes. The Old Town Triangle Association is asking everyone to consider purchasing a box or two while doing any shopping. They are hosting a collection of these items specifically. If you would prefer to donate online, please click here to visit the Old Town Triangle Association’s Amazon wish list.

Savor Lincoln Park Set for March 20

Savor Lincoln Park Set for March 20

Join the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce for Savor Lincoln Park 2024 on March 20 from 6 – 9 p.m. at Theater on the Lake. This one-of-a-kind indoor neighborhood food festival features delicious bites and sips from over 20 of Lincoln Park’s favorite restaurants and bars. Guests will also enjoy unique silent auction packages from Chicago’s best destinations!

Use the code LCASLP24 to enjoy $5 off tickets. Learn more and get tickets here.

Old Town Triangle Hosts World-Famous Cellist

World-renowned cellist Ian Maksin will be playing an intimate, one-night-only concert at the Old Town Triangle Association on February 18th. Join OTTA for a magical evening of classical and jazz performance, complete with light refreshments.

Doors open at 4 PM. Performance is from 5 to 7 with one intermission. Light refreshments will be provided. Learn more here.

LCA Discount for OTTA Classes

Winter class registration is now open at the Old Town Art Center. Classes take place in the early evening or late morning/early afternoon. Pastel painting, acrylic and oil, charcoal drawing, and watercolor classes are available from eight weeks to fifteen weeks. One is designed to work with your schedule. 

Click here to view additional information and FAQ's on the classes.

Lincoln Central Association members can now get $10 off with the code “lca10”. Additional $10 off with code “senior” for those 65 & better!

Lakeshore Family Fun Fair Set for February 25

Join Lakeshore for their February Fun Fair with inflatables, Bungee Jump, crafts, tasty food and fun activities for everyone! Make sure to bring your thinking caps, we will have a scavenger hunt to show of our summer detective camp! Also, check out our Camp Lakeshore booth to pick up a special camp promotion. Most of the attractions and activities will require 1-3 tickets to participate, and tickets are $2 each and can be purchased the day of. For more information please reach out to KidEvents@LakeshoreSF.com

Camp Lakeshore Registration is Now Open

Save yourself from the end-of-school year stress and start your summer planning with Lakeshore Summer Camp! Register now to be locked into our early bird pricing before costs go up in March. Everything from Traditional Camp, Tennis and Sports Camp, Specialty Camps to awesome field trip camps will be available. Don’t know which camps or weeks your kiddo wants yet? Not a problem! You can register now and pick your weeks and camps later. They also have the care you need for Spring Break. For more information, please reach out to Camp@LakeshoreSF.com.

Lakeshore Holding First-Ever Art Contest

Calling all high school students (9th-12th Graders)! Do you have a passion for art, fitness, and community? Do you want the chance to have your creations displayed for the public to see? Look no further as you can enter the First Annual Lakeshore Sport & Fitness Art Contest! They will be looking for submissions that best represent our themes which are:

• Team Fun
• Fitness
• Sports
• Friendship and Family



Painting, drawing, coloring, or digital art is acceptable! This project is intended to be a poster, so submissions must be able to be accessed as a digital image. All submissions should be sent to KidEvents@LakeshoreSF.com by 11:59pm, March 31st. Contestants may only turn in one submission. The one winner who is chosen will win $1000 and their artwork will be displayed at our Lakeshore locations! High school students do not have to be current members of Lakeshore to enter this contest.

Senior Citizen Law Enforcement Academy This Spring

From the Heart is an award-winning newsletter published by Lincoln Central Association.

We welcome your feedback and story ideas.