FROM THE HEART
January 31, 2016 Issue
IN THIS ISSUE
President's Letter
LCA's Annual Meeting & Election
Neighborhood Night At Lincoln Elementary
We Need Your Feedback
Not An LCA Member? Why Not Join Today!
UpcomingUPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, February 4th, 2016
Backstage at the Biograph

A new, FREE (RSVP required) event series at Victory Gardens that takes you behind-the-scenes for an in-depth look at a unique aspect of the rehearsal process during each of our five season productions! Then, enjoy complimentary wine, beer and snacks as you mingle with members of the casts and design teams at our kick-off party in the Victory Gardens Theater lobby at 7:00 PM. See additional details

Monday February 8, 2016
Annual Taste of Wrightwood

Join Wrightwood Neighbors at 6:00 PM Monday, February 8th for a complimentary dinner provided by some of our delicious local restaurants. See additional details.


Monday, February 8th, 2016
Neighborhood Night at Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School  invites you to  Neighborhood Night at Lincoln  on Monday, February 8th. Doors open at 6:30 PM. See additional details.

Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Lincoln Park 2016

Join the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce at Earl's Kitchen & Bar at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, February 9 for Lincoln Park 2016 to learn more about what's happening at the state and local level in a lively dialogue with our legislative officials. See additional details.

Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
LCA Zoning Committee Meeting 

The LCA Zoning & Planning Committee meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month to discuss ways to ensure open and fair processes for developers and homeowners. The meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the back room of the Marquee Lounge at Halsted and Armitage. The public is invited to attend.

Thursday, February 25th, 2016
LCA Monthly Meeting

The public is invited to attend the discussions at LCA Board meetings, which are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM in the back room of the Marquee Lounge at Halsted and Armitage.


Saturday, March 5th,  2016
Chicago Community Gardeners' Association Conference

The  Chicago Community Gardeners' Association will hold their  4th annual conference on  Saturday, March 5th at the  South Shore Cultural Center beginning at 9:00 AM. See additional details.
quigley
CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY
SHARES WITH THE HEART

Setting the tone of community celebration at the LCA Annual Membership Meeting, 5th District Congressman Mike Quigley told
Quigley
Rep. Quigley during Q&A
attendees that "policy comes from the ground up."

Congressman Quigley said he attended his first community meeting 33 years ago. "Since then I've attended 5,000 community meetings. This is where the hard issues are debated. This is where the tough decisions are formulated. That's why we look to you to advise us on what's going on."

Referring to the difficulties occurring at the state level in Illinois, the Congressman, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said he hears many jokes about Illinois due to its problems--past and current.  To help counter the criticism, he has founded a Congressional Transparency Caucus to discuss corruption and transparency issues in state, as well as the federal, governments.

The  Congressman invited attendees to "Let us know how we can help you on these issues."  Congressman Quigley said his role as Intelligence Committee member has also given him the opportunity to visit and learn about values in a variety of countries and locales.  

One issue that has struck him is the value people in other countries place on the right to vote.  Pointing to the low Illinois voter turnout (28.4%) in the last election, he said in many areas, notably Ukraine, people fight for this right.  "Elections do matter," he told attendees.  "Exercise your right!"

DidYouKnow
DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know it is not necessary to be a  member of LCA's Board to serve on one our  committees? As long as you are a member in good standing, you are eligible to serve on a  committee if slots in that committee are open. And, our committees can always use your help even if there is not an opening at the present time. So, if you are interested parks, neighborhood beautification, schools, safety, events, community affairs, zoning or any other aspect of our neighborhood, let us know and we'll tell you how to get involved.
HeartCheck
HEART CHECK UP
Every month, we do our best to keep you informed about news and events in our neighborhood that affect you. We receive much positive feedback, b ut we'd love to know what we can do better. We hope you will reach out to us with any suggestions to help us improve From the Heart and also our website.

In particular, if you have story ideas, news items, information about upcoming events, photos or other suggestions, please share them with our co-editors, Kenneth Dotson and Kathy Jordan If you know  someone from our neighborhood who has  achieved an important milestone or who you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please let us know.

If you would like to be a guest columnist or even write regularly for From the Heart, get in touch. The pay isn't very good. It's actually nothing-but don't let that stop you; we could use the help!

Most importantly, though, thanks for reading. You're who we write for each month in From the Heart.
CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY SPEAKS TO THE HEART
5th District Congressman Quigley addressing the crowd at LCA's Annual Meeting. Also pictured are LCA President, Kenneth Dotson, and newly elected Board members, Bob Segal and Patty O'Neill Harris.
MYLetter Dear Neighbors,

How can we help? 

As you will read elsewhere in this issue, and in previous issues of From the Heart, great things are happening in Lincoln Central Association. Our increasing momentum and visibility have enhanced our ability to influence your neighborhood in positive ways. Of course, with so many new initiatives in place, there is now more need than ever to have you join our efforts.

But first things first! How can we help you? Let us know; that's what we're here for.

From the Heart,
LCA President, Kenneth Dotson

P. S. If you would like read prior issues of
From the Heart, visit our newsletter archive.
Influence
LCA'S INFLUENCE IS GROWING,
SAYS ALDERMAN MICHELE SMITH  
"LCA's involvement and influence in Lincoln Park is growing, attracting new and vital people and ideas," 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith told members and guests at the Lincoln Central Association's Annual Membership Meeting held at Four Farthings Tavern & Grill.  "Neighborhood organizations are the backbone of the community," she continued. "They help shape everything. And LCA is in the forefront of opportunities to shape the community on zoning, schools, crime, and sanitation and they are making thgings happen. The Alderman encouraged the non-members in attendance to join the organization to be part of the excitement LCA is creating in the neighborhood.
 
Alderman Smith went on to focus on the many projects underway and completed in the ward, including a new surface for the Oz Park playground and the dedication of Richard "Dickie" Harris Way, last November. She also noted that the usage of Oz Park would be "lightening up," thanks to an agreement to use the former Near North High School field for some of the Lincoln Park High School athletic activities. The Alderman added that fundraising is underway to help repair the field.
 
The Alderman pointed to the #1 School Community program, the ultimate goal of which is to encourage parents in the 43rd Ward to send their children to Lincoln Park High School as the neighborhood school. But involving the neighborhood in supporting the school is also a major priority. Activities have included ongoing efforts to paint LPHS classrooms and fundraising to repair the new athletic field. The Alderman also hopes to get neighborhood support for a Homecoming Parade featuring the award-winning marching band from the high school.
 
Other projects underway in the ward Neighborhood Night at Lincoln on Monday, February 8 for all neighborhood residents to visit to new West Building at Lincoln Elementary School, replacement of all the playground equipment at Bauler Park, and supporting water sustainability practices such as the Rain Barrel program featured in the November edition of From the Heart.
 
Finally, the Alderman said a new initiative will focus on culture.  "Culture is the number one industry of Lincoln Park," she said. "We have hospitality and theater and all of the other cultural options available in the ward. We need to promote them to the entire city."
HEARTONDISPLAY
HEART ON DISPLAY

Neighbors joined LCA members in a heart-warming celebration of the past year and a toast to another successful year ahead. The occasion was LCA's Annual Membership Meeting at Four Farthings Tavern & Grill on Wednesday, January 27.
 
Members give thumbs up to candidate slate
As is LCA's long time custom, the Annual Meeting and neighborhood reception was held in conjunction with an election to replace Officers and Directors whose terms were expired.
Elected to the board for 2016 and 2017 were Secretary James Borkman, Treasurer David J. Free, and Directors Betsy Costello, Deirdre Graziano, Patty O'Neill Harris, Steve McClellan, Lisa Qu, Bob Segal, and Paul Shea. All candidates were elected by acclimation. Read more about LCA's Officers and Board members.

Immediately prior to the election, LCA's President Kenneth Dotson expressed  gratitude  to the five long time board members whose terms of office ended at the January meeting -- Sally Drucker, Paul Maggio, Joan Simmons, Gary Sinclair, and David Varnerin. "Each of them has dedicated countless hours and spirited energy to help make our neighborhood a safer, more beautiful, and more desirable place to live,"  he said. "We will continue to rely on their wisdom and guidance for many years to come," he added. Alderman Smith expressed  similar sentiments in her remarks.

More than 75 people enjoyed the reception that followed the meeting and presentations.
LincolnElementaryNEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT AT LINCOLN
Monday, February 8


Abraham Lincoln Elementary School invites you to Neighborhood Night at Lincoln on Monday, February 8th. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Please enter the school through door #14 in the new, west building. Eighth grade Ambassadors will offer 30-minute guided tours of the school at 6:45 PM. and 7:30 PM. 7:30 P.M. Principal Mark Armendariz will address guests at 7:15 P.M. Come for the first tour and stay for the principal's remarks or come at 7:15 P.M. and stay for the second tour. Lincoln School has been in existence for over 140 years. The original school building was completed in 1871. With growth of the largely German Lincoln Park neighborhood, an addition was completed in 1894; that addition is still in use today. In 1937, the original building was razed and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the east building in 1939, which is still in use today. Last fall, Lincoln completed its most recent addition. Several parents of current students also will be available to welcome neighbors to this iconic building.
communitygardeners
GET READY FOR THE HEART OF GARDENING SEASON
Chicago Community Gardeners' Association Conference 

Chicago Community Gardeners' Association will hold their  annual conference on  Saturday, March 5th at the  South Shore Cultural Center beginning at 9:00 AM. 

Registration is now open here. The cost to attend is $10 to help cover CCGA's costs and payment can be made when registering or in-person on March 5th at the event. Even if you pay in cash please use the link above to register and choose your workshop selections. Go here for more details.
FIRE ENGINE 22 STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP!
 Our friends at Fire Engine Engine 22 still need a new treadmill for their station to keep our firefighters physically fit. Can you help?

Their fitness helps keep our neighborhood safe! If you can help, please email Ben Hosek or stop by the station and speak with one of the firefighters.

JOIN THE HEART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOOD

member

 

LCA members are the heart of our beautiful neighborhood. The benefits of membership are many and the cost is small. If you're not already a member, we hope you'll join today. Simply select one of the affordable membership options below:

 

Name(s)*:                            _______________________________________________________

 

Street Address*:                   _______________________________________________________

 

City, State, and Zip*           _______________________________________________________

 

Phone:                                   ______________________      E-mail ________________________

 

Required*

Membership Benefits

 

  • Beautify & preserve your neighborhood
  • Meet Lincoln Park's decision makers
  • Help shape your neighborhood
  • Engage in your parks, zoning, development & more
  • Become a neighborhood leader
  • Be the first to know what's happening
  • Enjoy fun events with neighbors
  • Make a difference - and give back:

 

** Includes listing on LCA's website

 

Membership Options

 

 Individual - $20

 Family (2 people) - $25

 Business/Organization - $25**

 Senior - $10

 Patron - $50

 Annual Benefactor - $100

 Lifetime Benefactor -$500

 Other Donation

 

LCA is a 501 (C) (3) organization.

Your membership fees are tax deductible to full the extent allowed by law.

 

Mail check payable to
Lincoln Central Association to:

 

LCA | P. O. Box 14036| Chicago, Il 60614

 

Your Interests

 

 Parks

 Architectural Heritage

 Zoning

 Events

 Community Affairs

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